CIM Faculty Recital: Fullard/Rose/Docter/Allen/Kraut/Brown

Popper: Requiem, Op. 66*
Mozart: Piano Quartet in G Minor, K. 478**
Schubert: Cello Quintet in C Major, D. 956, Op. 163***
* - Matthew Allen, Unknown^, Melissa Kraut, cello; Kathryn Brown, piano.
** - Annie Fullard, violin; Kirsten Docter, viola; Melissa Kraut, cello.
***- Stephen Rose, Mari Sato, violin; Kirsten Docter, viola; Matthew Allen, Meilissa Kraut; cello.

This afternoon's recital began with an addition to the program in the form of Popper's Requiem for Three Cellos and Piano, in memory Mr. Allen's father. It's no secret that I'm a fan of the string family, but I'm particularly fond of the cello's wonderfully rich voice. The three cellos in this piece truly sung and invited the audience to close their eyes while the ears slurped in the harmonies. While somber--as one would expect a requiem to be--it was certainly not depressing. My ears could be deceiving me, but I could have sworn I heard references to ave maria in the piano part.

Yellow.
I read somewhere that Western cultures tend to be more visually-oriented while Asian cultures tend to be more aurally-oriented, while some are emotion-oriented and in any case an individual's disposition based on empathetic word choice: I see what you mean; I hear what you're saying. I'm squarely in the visual camp.

Following the requiem, Mozart's Paino Quartet again found me with eyes closed for the first two movements; the allegro struck me as being a bit playful with a serious side while the second movement struck me as yellow. Yes, yellow. It's difficult for me to tell you what I mean by "yellow", but with my eyes closed near the beginning of the movement I saw a pool of yellow that grew throughout the remainder of the movement. The third movement Rondeau returned to the same general feeling as the first.

Closing out the program was Schubert's Cello Quintet. It's probably not necessary for me to repeat the strained relationship that I have with Schubert, but this was entirely enjoyable to listen to, particularly while watching the beautiful gardens behind Cleveland Institute of Music's Mixon Hall... squirrels running up and down the trees; at least one rabbit bouncing around, and some beautiful blue birds (not sure if they were actually Bluebirds) that at times seemed to move with the music.

I think the wonderfully bold third movement (Scherzo: presto; Trio: Andante sostenuto) may be my favorite single Schubert movement -- and it seems that the audience agreed with a rare display of inter-movement applause, prompting Mr. Rose to remind the audience that there was still one more movement.

Lincoln
^- If any readers can supply a name it would be appreciated.