Elena Smith, finishing 12th grade and entering Temple University in the fall as a student of Jeffrey Solow, gave a recital May 31st to celebrate her graduation. She is home-schooled, so this served in lieu of a cap-and-gown graduation ceremony. Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Abington filled up with friends on this Friday evening to hear her not only on cello, but also on viola da gamba in the Abel.
Our good friend and colleague Kenneth Borrmann accompanied at the piano; we’re so fortunate to be surrounded by lovely musicians who are lovely people as well. Thanks also to Charles Tolton for recording this (the entire recital is below), to Pastor Tavella for his heartfelt invocation, to the Donnellys and everyone for the reception, and to our church for opening its doors. All these people are blessings to us.
Nellie honored me by playing my Spirituals for cello, and so beautifully. My thoughts about our middle daughter, and about her music-making, are included in my, well, baccalaureate sermon I suppose it was, at the end. To say that Jackie and I are proud of her is woefully to understate the case, as it is true of her two sisters.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). Suite II in D minor, BWV 1008
Prelude
Gigue
Carl Friedrich Abel (1723-1787). Allegro in D minor, WKO 208, from 27 Pieces for Bass Viol
Robert Schumann (1810-1856). Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
1. Zart und mit Ausdruck
2. Lebhaft, leicht
3. Rasch und mit Feuer
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1942). Elégie, Op. 24
Kile Smith (b. 1956). American Spirituals, Book Two, for Cello and Piano
1. Jesus, Master, O Discover
2. When the Stars Begin to Fall
3. Little David, Play on Your Harp
(Encore) Schumann. Träumerei
Nellie’s Dad’s speech