Events around and about Dartmouth College and Hanover, New Hampshire
SARAH CHANG violin. JULIO ELIZALDE piano.
Sarah Chang
Piano on steroids
Few recitals
Both went to julliard
Piano collaboration not accompaniment
She was going to watch TV
But went to rallies instead
Vegas next
Doesn’t listen to recordings
No music
Pianist plays with music
Used to be showing off
This was a classic performance that really filled the stage of Spaulding Auditorium. I loved the soprano Margot Rood, but I wasn’t sure contra-tenor Ryland Angel – definitely a weird sound.
An ambitious program by the misnamed Glee Club. When I think of Glee Club, I think of school songs and cheers, but this choral concert was classical and operatic. The first piece was short but beautiful by Rachmaninoff. The second, Dream, was a surprise treat in that it was composed by Dartmouth senior Brian Chalif, a bass and co-president of the glee club. In a brief impromptu intro, he explained that he wanted to emphasize the different sounds in “Hold”: Huh, Oooh, Ulll, Duh. I particularly like the tenor and soprano solos with small perfectly done upward pitch slides.
The Magic Flute was a fun section, with the singers acting the part on stage – which helps because it is a very light opera.
After the intermission, it was time for Mozart’s Requiem. This is a beautiful choral piece, and they did a great job. Some of the young soloists came from Opera North, which should be too surprising as Conductor Burkot is the Artistic Director. The performance was well done, and it is a treat to hear it live.
Chamber music and orchestra
Highlights: Year of our Lord from the Run Rabbit Run suite
Schumann Cello Concerto with Jan Vogler
Three great pieces by this great string quartet, reputed as among the best in the world. The group started in Hungary (the name is pronounced like “tah catch”) in 1975, and 2 of the original members are still playing: that’s 40 years! The newest member is Geraldine Walther who joined 10 years ago after a 30-year orchestra career. So that is a lot of talent.
As I didn’t know the Dvorak piece, it was a pleasant surprise, especially the 3rd movement. The third piece was Schubert’s Death and the Maiden. There was a question about the lack of vibrato in the opening (which I didn’t notice) which they said made it more primal. The last 2 movements were especially rousing. They say the play this piece a lot and know it very well, and it showed.
They are currently the artist in resident at University of Colorado in Boulder. It started as a 3 year scholarship in 1986, but they loved the area so much they moved there and have stayed ever since.
Cellist Walther teasingly prodded first violinist about a book he has written about the quartet and Beethoven’s quartets: Beethoven for a Later Age. It will be published in a few months, and looks like it will be quite interesting. The concept of working intensely and artistically with the same 4 people for 40 years is very unusual.