Walking into a concert hall for a classical music concert would lead someone to infer that they are about to listen to classical songs; yet, no one expects a classical string band to line up and sing in unison “Seasons of Love” from the musical RENT.
On Nov. 23, violinist Keith Beene, percussionist Charles Settles and pianist Sebastian Perez walked into the concert hall to start the performance. Everything looks normal until the rest of the string band comes in, lined up single file. They look awkward as if they were holding in a joke, and suddenly they start to sing Jonathan Larson’s song from the aforementioned musical. Dr. Nicole Cherry is laughing at herself for making the string band sing, introducing the show as the instrumentals continue in the background.
The band finally goes to their designated spots, where their sheet music is awaiting. Beene is still playing a violin solo as the band accompanies the arrangement, and suddenly the song smoothly transitions to Antonio Vivaldi’s Allegro of “Concerto in F Major, Op. 8, No. 3.”
“It’s a wild mix. We got pop music, we got classical music, and all the members of the string band are gonna be taking solos throughout the entire concert,” said Beene, a senior music performance major. “We started our first rehearsal like in the end of September…I’m definitely excited… Dr. Cherry, our supervisor… she put together a pretty good program, I’d say, so I really like it. I think it’s very interesting.”
The Baroque piece is reminiscent of a masquerade ball. The five violins, two violas and three cellos play in unison to create this elegant feeling, with violins taking charge of the performance as they play quick, intricate solos at the center of the stage.
As the piece ends, a round of applause reverberates in the venue. Violins move to the back with the rest of the band as they commence “Adagio” by Jackson Bosenbark and led by Cynthia Elias Nuñez on violin. It is a more soothing piece, entrancing the audience with the underlying mystery of the tune. The violoncellos take over to end the song in a somber melody.
Joaquin Gomez, a fourth-year viola player, and cello player Natalie Esquivel take center stage. Pizzicatos play softly in the background and Gomez frowns reading the notes to “Aria from Bachiana’s Brasileiras No. 5” by Heitor Villa-Lobos and arranged by J. Hoffman.
Gomez is swaying in par with the viola and making exaggerated expressions, he is not only performing the song but giving a show to the audience. As one looks over to Esquivel, one can see her focus on the music sheet, tapping her foot to the rhythm and playing beautifully. The piece that sounded like steps at midnight ceases and the audience applauds and hollers to the musicians.
Violin player Nicholas Ruiz takes the center and leads the Allegro of “Concerto for Violin in E Major, BWV 1042” by Johann Sebastian Bach. This piece could easily fit at the Palace of Versailles. Ruiz’s expression is more calm and focused on the notes than anything else. It is such an enjoyable piece; even when they are all playing the same notes, they all have their own style and stance, creating a very interesting sight. One cannot help but admire the technique it takes to play a complex piece like that, it is impressively dynamic.
Ruiz bows to the audience and moves back to formation. The strings started with “Rondeau from Céphale et Procris” by Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre. It was a quick yet interesting tune that was followed by violoncello players Katherine Beebe and Isaiah Valdez.
Both musicians took center stage and played the first Allegro of “Concerto for Two Cellos in G Minor, RV 531” by Vivaldi. It started deep, intensifying with violin and viola crescendos. Applause continued the cellos’ performances, now with the Largo section of the song. Piano-playing sparkled through this section, as the cellos played deeper, slower and more serene notes.
The recital ended with the third Allegro of Vivaldi’s piece. The bows dance in unison, furiously passing through the strings. The cellists’ fingers spider through their strings giving a vivid and intense performance. As the piece comes to an end, the biggest round of applause and screaming rumbles through the hall, becoming one of the most elegant string recitals of the semester.
