By Danielle Barnes | Contributor
Two recitals hit Taylor's campus starting next weekend: one filled with angelic vocals and the other featuring the sounds of the clarinet and piano.
Professors Leon Harshenin and Christopher Bade will set the stage to perform "Viennese Masters" and professor Conor Angell, along with adjunct faculty member Clifton Davisprepare for "Miniature Masterpieces".
"Viennese Masters"
The first recital will highlight music from famous composers including Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven and Carl Maria von Weber. These three composers achieved their fame and fortune in Vienna, which makes the title "Viennese Masters" well-fitting.
Bade produced the theme by building on the idea of a piano quintet concert he performed in the past. The concert featured chamber music that allowed each member to play a different instrument and also perform solo work.
This weekend's performance will showcase a similar theme of chamber music featuring the piano, oboe, clarinet and bassoon.
Bade, who is excited to perform in the piano quintet, loves being a part of a collaboration that produces the highest quality performance.
"It's making us really play at the top of our game," he said. "One of the things we always wish we can do more is make music with our friends, so playing the piano quintet again will definitely be an exciting collaborative experience."
"Miniature Masterpieces"
The second recital will feature well-known pieces of vocal repertoire. People who frequent vocal recitals will likely be familiar with many of the songs from the set list.
"Miniature Masterpieces" will provide general artistic enrichment for Taylor's community. Musicians will perform a set of sacred texts in German that Angell hopes resonates with the audience.
"Most of them are taken from the Bible in Ecclesiastes," Angell said. "There's kind of a negative outlook on the purpose of life, but then we see the greater perspective of eternity and God's (presence) in our lives."
The performance is intended to communicate a textual message and an appreciation of God's creative artistic beauty through song.
Along with this message, Angell tries to pick out programs and perform them in such a way that everyone can leave with a newfound appreciation of music.
"I don't expect people to have a background in music, I just expect them to be open to new experiences," he said. "New experiences are good, and you may discover something that you really love."
Both recitals are free to all. "Viennese Masters" runs Friday, Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in Butz Carruth Recital Hall. "Miniature Masterpieces" has been postponed until a later date that will be announced soon. Check the Echo Twitter for further updates.
