Faculty Holds Recital on Another Note

Between relentless rain and other events going on in the area, overcrowded seating was not an issue for PVCC’s Faculty Recital on February 21. However, the performers did not disappoint.

The afternoon began with Ruth Ann Bishop and Melody Day, both sopranos. They sang duets to English composer Henry Purcell’s “Sound the Trumpet” and “Lost is My Quiet For Ever.” Gina Tuck accompanied them on piano.

A medley of German lieders followed from the Bishop and Gina Tuck duo. Lieders characteristically are of poetic text and performed as a collaboration of voice and piano, with both equally robust and playful. Bishop came to life on the first selection, “Heidenroslein,” as Tuck commanded the keyboard.

Six Songs, a selection of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s work, was a collaboration of Kay Bethea on the piano and David Wilson on the saxophone. Day and Tuck returned for two arias from “Susannah” by American opera composer Carlisle Floyd, “Ain’t it a Pretty Night?” and “Trees on the Mountains Are Cold and Bare.”

The program concluded with three preludes of George Gershwin. These were arranged by Gregory Stone for four hands, a duet played on one key board. Bishop, this time on piano, and Bethea looked like they were having fun as they melded their talent and produced a lively and full piece which lifted spirits for the walk outside…into the rain.