Consiglio and Black up next in series
By Julie Rausch
 - Amy Geiszler-Jones Violist Catherine Consiglio, who worked with Michael Palmer early in her career, joins up with him again in a recital Oct. 3. |
The Faculty Artist Series will feature Catherine Consiglio, associate professor of viola, and pianist Michael Palmer in recital Tuesday, Oct. 3, and tubist Phillip Black Thursday, Oct. 5. Both performances begin at 7:30 p.m. in Wiedemann Recital Hall.
Consiglio’s program will be Shostakovich’s Viola Sonata, Fantasia for Four Violas by York Bowen and Brahms’ Viola Sonata in E flat major.
The two sonatas on the recital were the last ones written by Brahms and Shostakovich, says Consiglio.
"Even though this might be a good opening for a viola joke – something like composing for the viola killed them both – it makes for an interesting recital," Consiglio quips.
The sonata has been said to be Shostakovich’s farewell composition. The work is an intense meditation and expresses emotion without sentimentality and resignation without bitterness, Consiglio says.
The Brahms work represents the beautiful melodic maturity one would expect from the legendary romantic composer, says Consiglio.
"It has a feeling of deep respect for the joys of life as well as moments that reflect the tragedies and struggles, she said.
The Bowen piece is an interesting mix of pop, schmaltz and fun, Consiglio says. She and three other Wichita Symphony violists will perform, and the lush timbre of the ensemble is an unusual and beautiful sound.
When Consiglio was a junior at WSU, she won a contract with the Wichita Symphony. The following year, Palmer was named the artistic director and conductor of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. He is now conductor and music director for WSU’s Symphony Orchestra.
"I was so lucky to have worked with Palmer as a young orchestral musician," Consiglio says. "He taught me many concepts of orchestral playing that have stayed with me through my professional career. I never imagined we would both teach at WSU, much less play wonderful chamber music together."
Consiglio and Palmer also will have a recital at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, in the chapel at Bethel College in Newton.
During the Oct. 5 recital, Black will be assisted by faculty member and oboist Amy Goeser, his wife, pianist Laura Black and flutist Kristina Kollarova.
A program highlight will be Canticle for Unaccompanied Tuba by Thomas Woodson, who was inspired by watching Rosh Hashanah services and hearing the singing of Hebraic modes.
"The writing is lyrical and reminiscent of the styles of both medieval Gregorian chants and the Hebraic modes," Black says.
Black will perform the first violin part of Concerto in C minor for violin and oboe; only he’ll play it two octaves lower on tuba.
Black will join Kollarova on Duet for Flute and Tuba by Walter Hartley. Kollarova, a foreign exchange student from Slovakia, is the newest member of the Black family.
Call 978-3233 for reserved tickets. Prices start at $4, free to the WSU community.
