John Anthony Theatre Concert Analysis

The Collin College Spring Creek Campus was fortunate due to the Department of Music’s Faculty Recital on Thursday, October 29, 2015, at 7:30 pm in the John Anthony Theatre. The four performers at this recital were Brian Allison on piano, Garry Evans on clarinet, Natalya Pitts on piano, and Alicja Usarek on violin. The music program that night was comprised of five works, including: “Fantasy for Two Pianos in A Minor”, “Six Studies in English Folksong”, “Melody in A Minor”, “Dance Preludes”, and “Suite for Violin, Clarinet and Piano Op. 157b.” After listening to each of the musical compositions in person, I formed my initial opinions, researched their historical backgrounds and characteristics to provide an informative concert review. Furthermore,
As the title suggests, there are six movements. The instrumentation for this piece was for clarinet and piano with a total duration of roughly seven minutes. The movements are in the following order: Adagio, Andante Sostenuto, Larghetto, Lento, Andante Tranquillo, and Allegro Vivace (Bum 1). Williams’ work is from the twentieth century with each movement having its own special meaning. Adagio means slow in tempo; andante sostenuto means a moderately slow sustained tempo (Italian Musical Terms 1). Larghetto means a rather slow tempo; lento means slow in tempo as well (Italian Musical Terms 1). Andante Tranquillo means a moderately slow calm tempo; allegro vivace means a fast lively tempo (Italian Musical Terms 1). When Evans and Pitts performed this musical work, I observed how each movement differed in tempos which added meaning to Williams’ piece. I appreciated the superb sounds the clarinet and piano assembled when paired together; the high pitched clarinet sounds and low pitched piano sounds grabbed my attention throughout the listening example. Altogether, Evans and Pitts achieved a momentous feat performing Williams’ work because of how accurately all the movements were portrayed, and I was thrilled to listen to the entire piece from beginning to
The work depends on folksongs from Northern Poland, the component with the composer's standard expertise, bringing about five little movements of impressive appeal, going on for around seven minutes (Witold Lutoslawski 1). This piece is from the twentieth century; the instrumentation was for clarinet and piano. The movements are in the following sequence: Allegro Molto, Andantino, Allegro Giocoso, Andante, and Allegro Molto (Witold Lutoslawski 1). Lutoslawski’s piece is from the twentieth century with each movement having its own unique characteristics. Allegro Molto means a very fast tempo; andantino means a walking speed tempo (Italian Musical Terms 1). Allegro Giocoso means a fast humorous or playful tempo; andante means a moderately slow tempo (Italian Musical Terms 1). When Evans and Pitts performed this musical composition, I detected how each movement was distinctive due to the different tempos which further enhanced Lutoslawski’s work. I admired the magnificent sounds the clarinet and piano gathered when coupled together; the pleasantly pitched clarinet sounds and perfectly pitched piano sounds sparked my curiosity all throughout the listening example. All in all, Evans and Pitts completed an important mission by performing Lutoslawski’s work because of how well the movements reflected their respective tempos, and I was cheerful to listen to the entire