UIndy musicians play at Small Ensembles Recital
The University of Indianapolis music department showcased its students’ talents on Dec. 1 at the Small Ensembles Recital. The Small Ensembles Recital began with a woodwind quintet directed by adjunct faculty of music Pamela French.
The quintet, consisting of a flute, oboe, clarinet, horn and bassoon, performed Carl Nielsen’s “Woodwind Quintet, Op. 43.” The song was a harmonious piece punctuated by the deep tones of the french horn and bassoon. Following their performance were four string ensembles directed by associate adjunct of music Dennis McCafferty.
“I thought they all did extremely well,” McCafferty said. “I find that this format is pretty successful for getting the most accomplished for our students.”
The first ensemble, comprised of two violins, a viola and a cello, performed Mozart’s “Quartet in C Major,” an identifiable piece with a continuous pace reminiscent of a march. The second ensemble, a trio featuring two violins and a cello, performed Mazas’ “Trio in G Major, Op. 18.” The piece featured a gentle harmony between the violins, accented by the deeper tones of the cello.
The show then moved to Handel’s “Water Music” (Hornpipe, Air, Coro, Bourreé), which was performed by a trio of violins and a single cello. The performances were concluded with Tchaikovsky’s “Souvenir De Florence, Op. 70,” which was a grand, sweeping piece performed by twin violins, violas and cellos. Bethany Walters, a junior violin performance and creative writing major, found the piece challenging.
“It’s really a concerto for six people,” Walters said. “It’s the kind of piece that unfolds as you go deeper into it. There are so many difficult passages and trading off sections with other people.”
The group members had been rehearsing twice a week since August, when they received the music from McCafferty.
“That’s part of the class–to figure out their own rehearsal technique,” he said.
Walters, the first chair violinist for the performance, was pleased with the concert.
“I feel like I got a lot out of it, as far as refining my skills with leading a group,” Walters said. “It’s about a rehearsal of peers and colleagues working together.”
Walters felt that the group handled the piece well, despite some difficulties.
“I hit the very high D,’’ she said. “Overall, I think it went very well.”
McCafferty feels that students attending concerts for L/P credit have the potential to gain a lot from listening.
“First of all, I would hope they [students seeking L/P credit] leave with more appreciation of string music and chamber music in general,” McCafferty said. “I would also hope there’s more appreciation for what’s gone into making it happen, but that’s probably a bit more esoteric.”
