The University of Indianapolis Faculty Artist Concert Series concert “Words with Music” performed by faculty ensemble Molto Piano was held in the Christel DeHaan Ruth Lilly Performance Hall on Jan. 27 at 7:30 p.m.
The concert comprised six different pieces composed by six different artists. The trio of faculty members who perform in Molto Piano includes Associate Adjunct Professor Minju Choi, Assistant Professor of Music Sharon Parr and Associate Professor of Music Rebecca Sorley.
(Photo by Tianyang Miao)
Ruth Lilly Performance Hall was filled with audience members as the first performance began with a piano duo from German classical composer C.P.E. Bach. As a birthday tribute to Bach, Choi and Sorley performed “Four Little Duets.”
Freshman nursing major Taylor Morst found the experience eye-opening.
“Being able to see the professors play so passionately to the different pieces was something that I was glad that I could be a part of,” Morst said. “The music was captivating.”
The second arrangement consisted of a piano four-hand piece by Australian composer Carl Czerny. “Ouverture Caracteristique el Brillante, Op. 54” was performed by Parr and Choi. Before each piece, a brief description was given by one of the professors.
The third arrangement consisted of three pieces from French composer and teacher Darius Milhaud’s “Les Songes, Op. 237b.” The pieces were “Scherzo,” “Valse” and “Polka,” which were performed by Sorley and Parr.
Freshman psychology major Jodeci Daniels favored the “Les Songes” pieces.
“I really enjoyed listening and watching the professors perform ‘Les Songes,’” Daniels said. “I’ve never been to a concert with just pianos, and this one has been very interesting.”
The fourth arrangement consisted of a piano duo by American composer Aaron Copland entitled “Danzon Cubano.” This arrangement was performed by Sorley and Parr.
The fifth arrangement consisted of a piano duo from Polish composer and orchestra conductor Witold Lutoslawski entitled “Variations on a Theme by Paganini,” which was performed by Choi and Parr.
The final arrangement consisted of a piano six-hand piece by Italian composer Gioachino Rossini, who wrote 39 operas. The piece was entitled “Barber of Seville, Overture (arr. Czerny),” and it was performed by Sorley, Choi and Parr.
The final performance intrigued Morst.
“The last piece that was played by all the professors was my favorite out of the entire concert,” Morst said. “I most definitely look forward to another performance like this one because I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
