By Jane Simonton, Arts Editor
String together a series of compliments now, because this Monday’s string ensemble spring concert looks like it will be a hit.
Conducted by Juilliard-educated Adjunct Instructor of Cello Luis Biava, who is also the musical director of the New Albany Symphony Orchestra and principal cellist of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, the group will perform Felix Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No. 2, the cavatina from Ludwig van Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 13 and Luigi Boccherini’s Quartet III, Op. 37. Biava’s deep love for Beethoven was part of the reason for the cavatina’s inclusion in the program.
“I’ve always loved Beethoven,” Biava said. “[The piece] is such a beautiful and slow movement and I love ensembles. Beethoven is the best out there.”
Sarah Chapman ’16, a member of the ensemble — along with Devon Donohue ’14, David Hoyt ’14, who is also the Collegian’s chief copy editor, Dylan Ogden ’16, Yingqi Li ’16 and India Amos ’17, who is also a staff writer for the Collegian — echoed this sentiment.
“I’m most looking forward to playing the cavatina,” Chapman wrote in an email. “The piece is absolutely beautiful; I read [that] it was the only thing Beethoven ever composed that made him cry. It’s also a very different style from what I’m used to playing, and I’ve enjoyed branching out to music on which I don’t usually get a chance to work.”
One of the most special parts about this particular concert is the variety present within the pieces and how those differences work together to form a cohesive flow.
“[You can expect] beautiful music traveling through the countries of each composer based on what was happening in that culture at that time,” Biava said. “Mendelssohn will be a light [piece, but] with Beethoven, you’re going deep into his soul.”
An interesting element of this performance is that, despite being an ensemble, each member has a solo at some point, according to Biava. Weaving these parts together to make them work has been challenging, Chapman said, but she expects it will to be worth it.
“I think the biggest challenge has been striking a balance between everyone in the group and their respective parts,” Chapman said. “The music we’re performing provides a lot of opportunities to showcase individual players, both as soloists and within the group. We’ve been working to make sure these moments shine through from a collective performance.”
To see just how well the ensemble’s hard work pays off, attend the concert Monday, April 28 at 7 p.m. in Brandi Recital Hall.