Meghan Jacoby, Adjunct Instructor in Music, opened the Faculty Chamber Music Recital with a rhythmic yet light rendition of Toru Takemitsu’s flute piece “Air.”
Jacoby chose to perform this particular piece with the goal of exposing the audience to something new and unlike the pieces commonly performed at faculty recitals. She stated in her brief introduction that the piece was unique because it contained intentionally raspy sounds, changes in bravado and a variety of pitches.
An elaborate rendition of “Trio for Oboe, Bassoon and Piano” composed by Jean Françaix contrasted Jacoby’s piece.
Charlyn Bethell, Adjunct Instructor in Music, played the oboe while Neil Fairbairn, Adjunct Instructor in Music, kept the audience engaged on the bassoon. Stephen Porter, Adjunct Instructor in Music, created a variety of captivating melodies on the piano. Together, the musicians complemented each other’s tones during the mournful, passive parts of the composition, as well as during the lively sections.
The audience responded to the trio’s performance with an enthusiastic round of applause. The energy carried into the next performance as well; Christopher Walter, Instructor in Music, and Jacoby collaborated on the “Sonatine for Flute and Piano” by Lennox Berkeley.
“The Lennox Berkeley’s ‘Sonatine’ was a piece I have been interested in playing for quite a while now. It is not a piece commonly played and I always enjoy putting the ‘unknowns’ on concert programs,” wrote Jacoby in an e-mail to The Phillipian.
The combination of the flute and the piano created a rhythmic and flowing sound that was not recreated at any other point in the recital. Walter and Jacoby carried these soothing tones throughout the piece, giving the audience a relaxing change from the fast paced and unconventional notes of the previous selections.
After a brief intermission, anticipation filled the room for the final piece of the night: Antonin Dvoák’s “Piano Quartet in E flat Major, Op. 87.”
Roksana Sudol, Adjunct Instructor in Music, on the violin, Jenny Stirling, Adjunct Instructor in Music, on the viola, Elizabeth Aureden, Instructor and Chair in Music, on the cello and Diane Lim on the piano performed the piece the audience had been waiting for.
“One thing that I was very excited for was the second half with the Dvo?ák which is supposed to be the most exciting [part],” said John Gibson ’15, a member of the audience.
The final arrangement tied the recital together with a range of sad melodies as well as merry tunes. The lack of woodwinds in the final piece also separated the composition from the first half of the performance by providing an unfamiliar yet refreshing sound.
“Phillips Academy is very lucky to have such talented teachers in their Music Department,” said Ted Taylor, an audience member. “They are all very skilled in their specific areas of expertise. We appreciate that we have the opportunity to attend events like this for free right within our own community.”
