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It’s Concert Season!
It’s that time of year – the end of the semester – and everyone is getting ready for winter break. While chemistry students are scrambling around to study last minute, and English students are writing their final papers, the students at the Aaron Copland School of Music are ready to perform great music for you!
Queens College Vocal Ensemble
James John, Conductor
Queens College Baroque String Ensemble
Dongmyung Ahn, Director
I would write out the entire program that these two amazing ensembles performed, but they played a lot. So instead, I’ll just write a brief review and “emotional response” to the performance, and then include some links for you to listen to.
It’s not a secret that I love classical music – all types! And I don’t think it’s a secret that my main music genre would be baroque and earlier. Well, where better to go than to a baroque concert? The Baroque String Ensemble was phenomenal! Simply put, they were a chamber music group, and because of this, had no conductor. The counter-point melodies were so very in sync! I don’t quite know what to say. The musicians seemed so into the music – swaying to the tune, and making facial gestures that showed how engrossed they truly were. The most animated of the performers were Dongmyung (the director, but also a violinist) and Erik Anderson (cello). They seemed to be the leaders of the group as well. In the last number by Jean-Baptiste Lully (1632-1687), there was the inclusion of a really interesting looking instrument – the seven string viola da gamba. I’ve never seen that before! At one point, there was also a harpsichord! I’ve wanted to play the harpsichord for the longest time! I love the twang it has.
I also like choral music a lot. Now, the Vocal Ensemble did not sing baroque pieces, but they were all quite religious in theme, and therefore many of the songs sounded “old.” The vocalists looked very animated as well, and it was almost difficult for some of them not to smile! They looked as if they were having such fun up on that stage.
It really is a shame that not many people go to these free, end of semester concerts. Not only can you listen to great music, but you support your fellow classmates, and get to escape from your hectic day!
Here are a few links to some of the pieces I really enjoyed:
Credo … Einojuhani Rautavaara (b. 1928)
Gloria … Knut Nystedt (b. 1915)
Orchestral Suite, No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1068 … J.S. Bach (1685-1750)
Air & Gavotte
Queens College Vocal and Baroque String Ensembles
Monday, December 3, 2012
8:00 PM
LeFrak Concert Hall
Marina B. Nebro