My recital was not in the recital hall at the Fine Arts building, but rather at the main concert hall at a prime-time-like time. It was surprisingly well attended, well past those who were required to be there. Joan was there.
I had a piano major friend play to give me a break (for endurance sake). He’s not on the recording.
I had a grad student for an accompanist for multiple reasons: The piano parts, especially for the Bernstein and the Nielsen, are extremely difficult. My professor was challenging to work with and most piano majors were afraid of him. I was too, but I had nowhere to go.
The recording (Soundcloud link below) is in a different order from the program because, right before I went out on stage, my professor knocked one of my clarinets off the table onto the floor and was doing instrument repair during my recital. Note that this is a nearly 50yr old recording, with microphone and recording to match.
Some notes about the pieces.
The Weber Concerto No. 2 Alla Polacca is probably my most favorite piece I’ve ever played because it plays to my strengths. I blew a note toward the beginning and was expecting my teacher to reach out with one of those shepherds hooks and pull me off stage…. but once I got past that, nerves settled. Other than ‘almost’ losing a note, I think I pretty much hit them all, including the last page which has notes going by in a sustained rate of @ 18 notes per second.
The “Messiaen” might be one of my least favorite of all time. If you listen, consider skipping that one. Professor studied at Paris Conservatory and all senior recitals had a French piece, it seemed.
The Nielsen Concerto is 20 minutes long…. as one of the most difficult cadenza sections ever. At least at that time, it was listed at the top of the difficulty of IU School of Music’s second semester senior list. Oh, and it includes a snare drum.
The Bernstein Sonata is cool. Part of the second movement (1:18) is 5/8 in 1 with the piano and clarinet playing completely different parts (4:50)and coming together. That was always high risk, but it came off well.
