By Courtney Kalafsky
Correspondent
The Wednesday Afternoon Recital Series continued with another impressive array of talent from the College’s student body on Nov. 20 in the Mayo Concert Hall. The recital included nine performances, in which students, who certainly hold a bright future in music and the arts, displayed incredible skill.
The first performer, Jeremy Neiss, opened the recital on a more unconventional note. He played Johann Sebestian Bach’s “Partita in D minor BWV 1004” on the marimba. His unique take on the classical song mesmerized the audience, leaving them with high expectations for the rest of the performances.
Neiss’s performance was followed by two harpists, freshman Abigail Gillespie and Joseph Pagani, who played “Chanson dans la Nuit” by Carlos Salzedo. Their precise timing and beautiful harmonies displayed the extensive time and effort put into the piece.
In contrast to the sound of the harps, Colleen Ferry played a more traditional piece, “Cello Suite No. 2 in D minor BWV 1008” by Bach. Her cello piece captivated the audience with its deep and emotional tones.
The rest of the performances were collaborations between two different instruments. “Sonate” by Francis Poulenc was played by sophomore Maggie Stroh on the flute and Kathy Shanklin on piano. Despite the complexity of the piece, they played the piece flawlessly.
Kathy Shanklin then returned to the stage with trumpet player Justin Ploskonka for “Concert Etude” by Alexander Goedicke. The fast-paced song exerted a strong and confident tone, exciting the audience.
David McNally and Joseph Lesky slowed down the pace with “Vocalise Op. 34, No. 14” by Sergei Rachmanioff. They played the double bass and the piano, respectively. The two instruments blended perfectly, creating a peaceful and soothing tone.
The recital transitioned again to a quicker and more upbeat pace, with “Sonatina Op. 100 Finale, Allegro” by Antonin Dvorak. The happy piece was played by Eileen O’Driscoll on violin and Laura Henry on piano.
Bronson Manley on contrabass and Luas Gisonto on piano slowed things down again with “Elegy D per Contrabasso e Pianoforte” by Giovanni Bottesini. The somber piece displayed remarkable tempo control and wonderful teamwork from the performers.
The recital concluded with “Sonata for Trumpet and Piano” by Kent Kennan. Junior Samuel Nemeth performed on the trumpet, with Nick Gatto on piano. The two displayed impressive confidence and talent as they effortlessly ended the show with an eloquent and powerful piece.
Sarah Drozd, a sophomore elementary education and history double major, was delighted by the College’s idea for a Wednesday Afternoon Recital Series.
“It’s a good opportunity to show the students’ progression, what they’re working on and how far they have come,” Drozd said. “The series includes a great variety of music and works as good means of exposure for the audience as well.”
