The Geneseo Wind Quintet played in a recital on Sunday Feb. 4 in Doty Recital Hall (pictured above). The quintet consists of adjunct professor of flute Emlyn Johnson, adjunct professor of oboe Megan Kyle, adjunct professor of clarinet and saxophone Ernest Lascell, adjunct professor of bassoon Martha Sholl and adjunct professor of French horn Maura McCune Corvington. (Sophie Yeomans/Asst. Copy Editor
The arts are the only place where five professors with a passion for music can come together and create something momentous. Performances by the Geneseo Wind Quintet are an example of this authenticity, and a reason why the promotion of the arts is so essential.
The Geneseo Wind Quintet performed in the Doty Recital Hall on Sunday Feb. 4. The quintet consisted of five music professors—adjunct professor of flute Emlyn Johnson, adjunct professor of oboe Megan Kyle, adjunct professor of clarinet and saxophone Ernest Lascell, adjunct professor of bassoon Martha Sholl and adjunct professor of French horn Maura McCune Corvington—playing five different wind instruments—the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and horn, respectively.
Flutist Johnson introduced the group, stating that this was her first year teaching at Geneseo, and she loves being a part of the group.
“I think the most fun part of [performing] is collaborating with other amazing musicians. It’s really awesome that here at Geneseo we have this quintet, and that the wind colleagues can work really closely with each other,” Johnson said. “When you perform, you’re working not only on the music, but with other personalities. So, every time—even if you play the same piece over and over again—every time it’s different.”
The first piece performed was the “Petite Suite,” written by Claude Debussy. It contained four movements: “En bateau,” “Cortège,” “Menuet” and “Ballet.”
During the song, the flute floated lightly above the other instruments, but the lower tones produced fuller sounds. “Cortège” stood out with its flirtatious quality. In “Menuet,” Johnson also played the piccolo, which complimented the deeper horn sound.
The second piece was called “Duo for Flute and Oboe,” and was composed by Alberto Ginastera. The flute and oboe were the only two instruments in this piece, but they complimented each other perfectly in each of the three movements: “Sonata,” “Pastorale” and “Fuga.”
The third piece performed was “Pastoral,” written by Vincent Persichetti. Each performer shined on their respective instruments in this composition. This piece particularly highlighted the lower-pitched instruments; however, the higher-pitched instruments were incredible as the song produced melancholy feelings.
The fourth and final piece was “Roaring Fork,” by Eric Ewazen. The stunning trills each performer produced defined the complexity of the piece. A trill requires fast finger movement between two notes back and forth. This skill demonstrated the musicians’ undeniable talent.
Pre-accounting major freshman Brian Baccaglini attended the performance and enjoyed the tranquil sound created by the quintet.
“My favorite part of the performance was that every single part, whether it was a harmony or a melody, came together to make this awesome sound,” Baccaglini said. “It was just really enjoyable to listen to and really relaxing.”
Overall, each piece was played excellently. This performance expressed the value of music and the arts.
Johnson echoed the importance of keeping the arts alive and why they are irreplaceable.
“I think the arts can play so many amazing roles for people. They can be used for celebration,” Johnson said. “We think of these feelings and emotions that can’t be explained in words are coming out in the arts.”
“Being involved in the arts teaches you so many skills that you don’t get anywhere else and it gives you new perspective on the world; on other people and other ideas,” Johnson said. It’s really important because it expands your imagination and makes you think about the world in different ways.”