Music department presents D.M.A. recitals by Vin Shende, Rob Paterson

The Department of Music presents two D.M.A. recitals this week in Barnes Hall. Both concerts are free and open to the public.

Vineet "Vin" Shende, who is in his fourth year of the doctoral program in composition, presents his recital Friday, March 31, at 8 p.m. Six works written during his tenure as a graduate student here at Cornell are featured on the program, beginning with his Sonata for solo cello, written for and performed by his friend and colleague, Paul Osterfield.

Also on the program is "Talking Wires" for piano, dedicated to and performed by Xak Bjerken. The inspiration for the piece came from a book Shende was reading on the history of the telegraph. He was struck by the similarities between piano playing and telegraph operation. In both cases, a key is depressed, completing a connection to a wire, and, thus, information is dispersed. The rhythmic motives of "Talking Wires," a Native American term for the telegraph, are based on the Morse code of actual telegrams, with melodic material depicting emotional and psychological subtext.

Other featured performers include Judith Kellock, singing Shende's "Struwwelpeter-lieder"; a choir of 21 singers performing "Gloria"; and two different instrumental quartets presenting one movement from String Quartet No. 2 and Fantasia on Son de la loma.

Robert "Rob" Paterson, who is in his third year of the doctoral program in composition, presents his recital Sunday, April 2, at 8 p.m. Six works written during his tenure as a graduate student here at Cornell are featured on the program, beginning with the first movement of his Wind Quintet.

I another piece, "Braids," Paterson drew inspiration from watching his wife, Victoria, create elegant, masterful braids in her hair. The names of these various braids (e.g. French twist, back twist, rolled braid) inspired him to invent interesting musical analogs for this piece. Scored for violin and marimba, "Braids" will be performed by Paterson and violinist Asmira Woodward-Page.

The text for "Thursday" was conceived and written by two close friends, Bridget Meeds and Kenny Berkowitz, "both excellent writers who possess an acute and often exquisitely wry sense of humor," said Paterson. Scored for soprano and piano, each movement attempts to paint a literary picture of the central character by introducing various people who are related to her. It is presented by soprano Judith Kellock and pianist Lisa Leong.

Rounding out the program are Paterson's "Star Crossing," "Embracing the Wind" and Sextet.