Concert report(Faculty Recital - Charles Neidich, clarinet, and Jon Klibonoff, piano) - Essay Example

A Concert Report Order No. 537545 I had attended a ical music concert at the Miller Recital Hall in Manhattan School of Music It was a Faculty Recital that involved Charles Neidich on the clarinet, and Jon Klibonoff on the piano. The program included the following pieces with their respective composers – Isang Yun- Piul, Copland – Piano Sonata, Neidich – Ikarus, Brahms- Clarinet Sonata No.1 in F Minor, op. 120, Reger – Clarinet Sonata in A – flat Major, op. 49, no. 1 and Schoenfield- Four Souvenirs.

The periods represented by the above pieces and their composers were a mixture of Classical and Contemporary music. The piece I chose to write on is about ‘Four Souvenirs by composer Paul Schoenfield. The orchestra that performed his compositions was the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. The performers included Andrew Russo on the piano, James Ehnes on the violin and Edward Arron on the cello. The conductor of the orchestra was Joann Falletta. Paul Schoenfield, the composer of ‘Four Souvenirs’ includes a lot of sentimentality and emotion in his compositions and has a musically sophisticated style in the way he presents his compositions which are always filled with an infectious energy and innovative melody that is very attractive to his audiences.

‘Four Souvenirs’ by composer Schoenfield was for violin and piano and was recorded on January 8th 2007 with James Abbott as the engineer. The duration of the piece was 11:11 and it was recorded at the Setnor Hall, Syracuse, NY. Schoenfield creates captivating interest in his composition through an interplay between high and low sounds and forms of the nuances. The composer manages to maintain a good balance between popular rhythms and forms with his own originality. The first movement opens with great dynamism and vigor and gradually moves into the second movement that is more sedate and laid back when compared to the first movement and is a bit repetitive in its presentation.

Elegy makes up the third movement and the pianist Russo brings out the lyricism of the composition by employing a restrained rubato with good expression. This section of the third movement comprises of whole tone harmonies with echoes of voices along with the rhythm of the solo piano. The third movement is presented with a unique musical sensibility. The finale comprises of a vigorous Broadway dance number that is powerfully suggestive. The ensemble passages are deftly and effectively handled by the conductor.

Four Souvenirs has a fine interplay and balance between the musicians and each of them is given prominence during the course of the piece to showcase their skill and talent of their individual rhythmic style. References Paul Schoenfield: Four Parables- Four Souvenirs. www.allmusic.com/album/w160484 Paul Schoenfield: Four Parables- Four Souvenirs. www.musicalcriticism.com/./cd-schoenfield-0208.shtml