One of the great assets to living in a community which has an institution of higher education is the benefit of good music programs.
Socorro is particularly blessed with the Macey Center as a venue for the Performing Arts Series which each year brings a dozen or more high caliber shows here at an affordable price: tickets – even full price adult tickets – are below $20.
An adjunct program at New Mexico Tech’s Macey Center is the Presidential Chamber Music Series. Sponsored by Tech President Daniel H. López, the concerts feature violist Willy Sucre and his friends – a changing group of master musicians from New Mexico and further reaches of the world. And due to the President’s generous donation, the concerts are free to attend.
Last year, we were treated to quartets featuring strings, piano, flute and oboe. This year, says Ronna Kalish, PAS director, the programs will all feature strings.
There was some discussion at the beginning of the program Monday, (Sept. 26) just how many years Willy and Friends have been playing at New Mexico Tech. Willy Sucre (and friends) was at one time the quartet artists in residence at this small university known mostly for its high academic standards in the sciences and its associated high-tech research park. But, again, we’ve been fortunate in having folks at New Mexico who understand that art and music complement the hard sciences.
Anyhow, whether it’s been 15 or 20 years, Willy is a familiar sight to those who value a night of chamber music. As one audience member put it: No matter how long it has been “I think I have at least another 10 years left in me.” And hopefully, Willy will continue to enchant Socorro artists with his selections of friends on various instruments playing classics, more contemporary and “ethnic” music.
Monday’s concert featured Wille Sucre, Joan Zucker, cellist; Anthony Templeton, violin; and L.P. How, violin. The evening began with Beethoven’s String Quartet in G Major, Op. 18 #2 “Compliments”, followed by Samuel Barber’s Adagio. They ended the program with Antonin Dvorák’s String Quartet in C Major Op. 61.
Now, if you’re looking for a critique of the evening, please look somewhere else. My mother raised me right and introduced me to as much classical and cultural arts and music as was possible in little Lovington, N.M.; but I’m not at any level to critique. For me, music, like other arts, usually falls in two categories: I like it or I don’t.
And I enjoyed this evening with Willy and Friends. In fact, most of the evening was spent watching Mr. How and wondering how in the world he could move his fingers that fast along the strings and always make it sound so beautiful. It was amazing to watch.
I have to admit I was a bit disappointed when the Dvorák number didn’t sound like the familiar Czech themes and dances I’m used to hearing from Dvorák. But I can’t say I wasn’t forewarned. That information was in the program.
My only other complaint is that the audience member next to me kept yawning and yawning making it difficult not to do the same. But actually the audience was respectful and enthusiastic. The concerts a couple years ago were held in the adjacent, smaller recital hall (previous to that, a small side meeting room) but on a well attended evening, it was an over-flow audience, so they were moved back to the Macey Center auditorium.
There was a smattering of elderly ladies and gentlemen, a goodly number of 40 and 50-somethings and a good turn out of younger college-aged students. There were even a few young families who somehow managed to leave the auditorium without making a fuss.
A positive part of this program (and all the others) is a more informal atmosphere than one might worry about if you’re not used to going to Chamber music concerts. Willy usually gets up and introduces the guests and the music. And this time, Joan Zucker spoke about the Barber piece. So there’s some interaction with the audience.
Then, there’s always the question: To clap or not to clap at the end of movements. That’s another area of gaining informality. And, while a few years ago, chamber music goers would have turned up their noses at the idea of clapping between movements, nowadays it’s not some cardinal sin, but rather a growing practice.
There was both a smattering of applause between numbers and major applause at the end of all three on Monday night – the former mostly for the Adagio and Allegro movements of Beethoven (and how can one resist?!) and the latter particularly at the end of the evening.
We add our applause and applaud all who make these evenings possible: Willy and Friends, Ronna Kalish and Dr. Dan López.
I tell you, it’s truly hard to think of a better deal than a free night of good music.
We look forward to at least another 10 years.
The next Presidential Chamber music concert is Friday, Nov. 18 during the Festival of the Cranes at which time they’ll feature Latin American String Quartets. For more information about concerts at Macey Center, visit
www.nmtpas.org (http://www.nmtpas.org)
Socorro is particularly blessed with the Macey Center as a venue for the Performing Arts Series which each year brings a dozen or more high caliber shows here at an affordable price: tickets – even full price adult tickets – are below $20.
An adjunct program at New Mexico Tech’s Macey Center is the Presidential Chamber Music Series. Sponsored by Tech President Daniel H. López, the concerts feature violist Willy Sucre and his friends – a changing group of master musicians from New Mexico and further reaches of the world. And due to the President’s generous donation, the concerts are free to attend.
Last year, we were treated to quartets featuring strings, piano, flute and oboe. This year, says Ronna Kalish, PAS director, the programs will all feature strings.
There was some discussion at the beginning of the program Monday, (Sept. 26) just how many years Willy and Friends have been playing at New Mexico Tech. Willy Sucre (and friends) was at one time the quartet artists in residence at this small university known mostly for its high academic standards in the sciences and its associated high-tech research park. But, again, we’ve been fortunate in having folks at New Mexico who understand that art and music complement the hard sciences.
Anyhow, whether it’s been 15 or 20 years, Willy is a familiar sight to those who value a night of chamber music. As one audience member put it: No matter how long it has been “I think I have at least another 10 years left in me.” And hopefully, Willy will continue to enchant Socorro artists with his selections of friends on various instruments playing classics, more contemporary and “ethnic” music.
Monday’s concert featured Wille Sucre, Joan Zucker, cellist; Anthony Templeton, violin; and L.P. How, violin. The evening began with Beethoven’s String Quartet in G Major, Op. 18 #2 “Compliments”, followed by Samuel Barber’s Adagio. They ended the program with Antonin Dvorák’s String Quartet in C Major Op. 61.
Now, if you’re looking for a critique of the evening, please look somewhere else. My mother raised me right and introduced me to as much classical and cultural arts and music as was possible in little Lovington, N.M.; but I’m not at any level to critique. For me, music, like other arts, usually falls in two categories: I like it or I don’t.
And I enjoyed this evening with Willy and Friends. In fact, most of the evening was spent watching Mr. How and wondering how in the world he could move his fingers that fast along the strings and always make it sound so beautiful. It was amazing to watch.
I have to admit I was a bit disappointed when the Dvorák number didn’t sound like the familiar Czech themes and dances I’m used to hearing from Dvorák. But I can’t say I wasn’t forewarned. That information was in the program.
My only other complaint is that the audience member next to me kept yawning and yawning making it difficult not to do the same. But actually the audience was respectful and enthusiastic. The concerts a couple years ago were held in the adjacent, smaller recital hall (previous to that, a small side meeting room) but on a well attended evening, it was an over-flow audience, so they were moved back to the Macey Center auditorium.
There was a smattering of elderly ladies and gentlemen, a goodly number of 40 and 50-somethings and a good turn out of younger college-aged students. There were even a few young families who somehow managed to leave the auditorium without making a fuss.
A positive part of this program (and all the others) is a more informal atmosphere than one might worry about if you’re not used to going to Chamber music concerts. Willy usually gets up and introduces the guests and the music. And this time, Joan Zucker spoke about the Barber piece. So there’s some interaction with the audience.
Then, there’s always the question: To clap or not to clap at the end of movements. That’s another area of gaining informality. And, while a few years ago, chamber music goers would have turned up their noses at the idea of clapping between movements, nowadays it’s not some cardinal sin, but rather a growing practice.
There was both a smattering of applause between numbers and major applause at the end of all three on Monday night – the former mostly for the Adagio and Allegro movements of Beethoven (and how can one resist?!) and the latter particularly at the end of the evening.
We add our applause and applaud all who make these evenings possible: Willy and Friends, Ronna Kalish and Dr. Dan López.
I tell you, it’s truly hard to think of a better deal than a free night of good music.
We look forward to at least another 10 years.
The next Presidential Chamber music concert is Friday, Nov. 18 during the Festival of the Cranes at which time they’ll feature Latin American String Quartets. For more information about concerts at Macey Center, visit
www.nmtpas.org (http://www.nmtpas.org)