Culture
Prepare Yourself: OU School of Music Faculty Recital Holds Surprises
By: Amy Elyse Brighter
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The Ohio University School of Music is presenting a concert this Sunday, but those expecting to hear traditional classical music are in for a bit of a surprise.
Three OU faculty members–André Gribou, Roger Braun and Stephen Miahky, along with guest artist Alan Terricciano from the University of California at Irvine–will present an evening of exciting and eclectic sounds during the Faculty Chamber Music Recital, this Sunday at 4 p.m. in the Glidden Recital Hall.
Gribou and Braun will open the recital with Erik Griswold’s Concerto for Prepared Piano.
Prepared piano is a modern performance technique, created by the American composer John Cage in the 1940s. It involves placing objects such as screws, cardboard and pieces of rubber between the strings, which alters the sound of the piano, creating uniquely percussive sounds. Braun has adopted the idea in his own solo composition, which applies the preparation techniques to the vibraphone.
Violinist Miahky will play a solo piece written by Terricciano, followed by Terricciano himself, who will perform one of his compositions for solo piano.
Terricciano will also talk about his composition techniques during the recital. “He’s an exceptional musician,” said Gribou. “I think he is a terrific role model for young musicians.”
Gribou and Terricciano will bring the recital to a conclusion with a performance of John Adams’ Hallelujah Junction for Two Pianos.
Terricciano and Gribou frequently perform together, having met as faculty at the American Dance Festival in 1995. Hallelujah Junction for Two Pianos is their most recent collaboration. They have played the piece once before, last February in California.
“They all turn out to be these monsters of difficulty,” said Gribou of their typical repertoire. “We heard (Hallelujah Junction) and said ‘we must do this piece.'”
Gribou feels that concerts such as this allow the faculty to stay in touch with the process and learning that comes from performing.
“It allows faculty to continue to be musicians throughout their life, and to demonstrate that to students,” he said. “There is nothing more important than being able to speak to your students directly about the experience of performance on Monday when you have been on stage on Saturday.”
The recital is free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.finearts.ohio.edu/music.