By Julia Duggan
Staff Writer
Mayo Concert Hall hosted another Tuesday Afternoon Recital on Feb. 18. There were four student musicians, who each performed on a different instrument and were accompanied by Kathy Shanklin, one of the College’s collaborative pianists.
First to perform on the clarinet was Alexis Silverman, a senior music education major. She played the “III. Rondo” movement from the “Clarinet Concerto in A Major K. 622,” which was written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
“It’s a standard piece for my instrument and I have fun performing it,” Silverman said. “I wanted to pick something I have learned really well, and that myself and the audience will enjoy.”
Although the piece covers most of the clarinet’s range and requires careful planning of places to breathe, Silverman made the piece sound effortless. The audience responded with a loud round of applause — one person even gave a standing ovation.
“I’m usually a little nervous before a performance, but I’ve learned to accept the nerves rather than trying to go against them,” Silverman said. “I am also very excited, since it is my last Tuesday recital and my parents came.”
Next to perform on the alto saxophone was Maxwell Mellies, a senior music education major. He performed “Brilliance, for Alto Saxophone and Piano” movements “I. Déclamé” and “II. Désinvolte” by Ida Gotkovsky.
Mellies started with a powerful sound in the first movement that surrounded the audience. The second movement contrasted the first by having a gentler start, but it made just as much of an impact on the audience, as they gave a thunderous applause at the end.
The third performer was Giovanni Delgado, a sophomore elementary education with a specialization in music, on the tuba. He played Benedetto Marcello’s “Sonata in G Minor Op. 1, No. 4,” movements “I. Adagio,” “II. Allegro,” “III. Largo” and “IV. Allegro.”
“I picked this Sonata because of its jaunty feel,” Delgado said. “Each movement built off of each other and flows like a sea shanty.”
The audience was excited to hear a solo tuba performance, as its energy during the performance was attentive and vigilant to every note. Delgado filled the concert hall with a beautiful, rich tuba sound. He moved through the various movements with ease, and the audience responded with another grand round of applause.
Last to perform on the flute was Sophia Isnardi, a senior music education major. Isnardi performed George Friedrich Handel’s “Sonata in B minor for Flute and Basso Continuo” movements, “I. Largo,” “II. Vivace” and “III. Presto.”
“I always enjoy listening to the different playing styles and musical interpretations of other musicians,” Isnardi said. “I find that listening to these recordings inspires me to experiment with different musical interpretations of the piece.”
Isnardi did not disappoint, gracefully playing the first movement with a stunning tone. Played with ease and control, Isnardi’s rendition of the second movement was an intriguing contrast. The final movement continued to build in excitement and speed until the final note echoed throughout the hall, as the audience clapped and cheered in response.
“I love these recitals because three of (the performers), were seniors and they have their senior recitals coming up,” said Natalie Donohue, a senior music education major. “It is like a fun preview for their recitals, and it is just so exciting."
