Modfest features Copland and Vassar Composers

Deborah Temkin A&E Editor

Modern music is an acquired taste. While the inharmonic intervals and odd instrumentation of twentieth century music might not appeal to everyone, one modern composer can usually be found in any classical music lover's collection—Aaron Copland. This year as part of the third annual Modfest, Copland is highlighted in several performances for his unique mixture of modern and folk music.

The Modfest is sponsored by the Vassar College English, Music, and Art Departments and includes 11 events bringing these arts together. Stretched over two weekends, Jan. 21-23 and Jan 28-30, with a postponed performance on Jan. 26 due to the excess of snow on Jan. 22, these events include poetry readings, chamber music performances, the College Orchestra and Choir, Vassar Professor composers, and dance performances by the Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre.

Modfest 1, the Chamber Music of Aaron Copland celebrated Copland's lesser-known works with visiting performers and Vassar music professors. Most famous for his ballets, Copland's chamber music follows a more traditional modern flow, with seemingly mismatched tones and rhythmic structure. Elements of jazz and folk music can be heard throughout the pieces.

Laura Conwesser, Assistant Principal flautist of the New York Philharmonic, began the recital with Copland's Concerto for Flute, a delicate duet for flute and piano. While enjoyable and a good introduction to Copland's chamber music, Conwesser often interrupted her own solo with large gasps of breath audible to the audience.

Rolf Shulte, a professional Romanian soloist who has been performing since the age of 13, continued the performance with an amazing rendition of Copland's Violin Concerto. While extremely unconventional in his playing style (holding his bow closer to the middle than the base), his performance truly presented the best of Copland. Maria Rivera, Adjunct Professor of Music, performed Copland's Piano Variations, which illustrated Copland's flexibility in including the jazz genre within his classical music. Finally the Vassar Nonet, an all female string group, played the Copland Nonet, which featured a more classical approach to music with touches of modern harmonies.

Electronic music was a new addition to Modfest this year, bringing the Maclean Mix, a husband-and-wife team who specialize in producing music on computers. Giving both a workshop and a performance, the Maclean Mix offered their interpretation of the future of music, an eclectic mix of instrumentation and computer generated sounds. While turnout to their performance was not as strong as was hoped, their music was both interesting and inspiring.

Performances for the weekend of Jan. 28-30 will include additional performances of Coplan's music and his history as well as previews of upcoming dance recitals and a workshop for flute. The College Orchestra will once again combine forces with the choir and madrigal singers to not only present the works of Copland, but of several other composers, including a piece by David Streim '05.

The concert, to be held on Jan. 29 at 8 p.m. in Skinner, is sure to be an enjoyable event and a wonderful introduction to modern music. VRDT will once again hold their "Works in Progress" recital Jan 28 and 8 p.m. in New Hackensack, which is a wonderful way to preview their annual performance at the Bardavon Theatre, to be held later this semester. Finally, the last event for Modfest 2005, the "Vocalfest," will feature the compositions of Vassar composers beautifully sung by their fellow professors.