Scott Conklin Case

On Monday December 5, 2011 a faculty recital was held at the Riverside Recital Hall featuring Scott Conklin on the violin, Alan Huckleberry on the piano, and Jason Sifford on the piano as well. The ensemble collectively performed 7 pieces during the concert. "The Hope Moment," "Suenos de Chambi: Snapshots for an Andean Album," "Infinite Morning," and after an intermission the concert continued with "Waitin'," "The Fire Hose Reel," "The Fisherman's Song," and "Passages."

Arriving a couple minutes late, unfortunately I was not able to listen to the first piece. With the second piece, "Suenos de Chambi: Snapshots for an Andean Album" by Gabriela Lena Frank, I was not to happy with. It was a very strange piece. It sounded as though both instruments were playing random notes. The piano sounded like the keys were being banged in no particular pattern or rhythm. The cords clashed and it was hard on the ear. Having seven movements, they sounded quite the same. The only way to tell that a new movement was about to begin was to listen for the long pauses in between each one.

The rest of the pieces were pleasant. My favorite was "The Fisherman's Song." It was very lively and overall a nice song. Another reason I really liked this piece was because I played a version of it for a solo ensemble when I was younger.

Overall I enjoyed the concert. I liked the contrast of the songs and the enthusiasm that the artists put into it. I would love to go back a hear them again.