Abstract:
The senior performance recital is a chance for an instrumentalist to show their talents and skills acquired during their undergraduate performance studies. The repertoire composed by Johannes Brahms and J. S. Bach was chosen for my recital in order to display my expanding talent of musical expression. Equally important are the contrasting musical ideas, moods, time periods, and personalities of the two works as well as the fact that they are both considered to be a part of the standard repertoire for cello. A lecture presentation preceded the performance of each piece. These presentations were added to augment the musical experiences of the performer and the intended audience. By combining music history with character stories about these famous music personalities, it was my intention to bring new life and meaning to these important musical works.
