Concert Explores Music Of The Ages

By CATHERINE ELLERTON

Moapa Valley Progress

The Christian Community Church in Mesquite hosted the fifth performance of the Cliffrose Chamber Music Series on Sunday, Jan. 27.

The Cliffrose String Quartet began the afternoon with a toe tappin’ “Fiddle Dance” by Fletcher followed by Fauré’s “Après un Rêve.” Next the musicians took on Johann Strauss’ “On The Beautiful Blue Danube” and their music demonstrated all the various moods of the story.

Gaye Nelson, on the harpsichord, joined the group for Bach’s “Allegro,” from “Concerto for Two Violins in D minor.” Nelson then followed with a solo of Byrd’s “Pavana.” The group joined together again with a unity of tone in “Allegro,” from “Concerto for Two Violins in A Minor” by Vivaldi.

The skilled musicians in these two groups are multi-talented playing various instruments as well as singing, teaching, directing and even composing music. Brent Pettit, the cellist for the String Quartet, wrote a pastoral piece which, with the kindly encouragement of pianist Kathryn Anderson, was finally completed and received its first public performance in this concert. The beauty and vibrancy of tone achieved by Pettit on the cello was reflected in the piece “Feed My Sheep.” Pastor Dan Rhodes added his rich baritone to bring the lesson to the audience.

The next section of the concert featured The Zephyr Recorder Consort. This group of musicians brings the unique sound of this instrument to music of the Renaussance period. “Nowell’s Galliard” by Holborne and Tye’s “Laudes Deo” demonstrated the versatility of the recorder.

Gaye Nelson followed these two selections as she played Handel’s “Allemande and Allegro” on the harpsichord. The group then rejoined and took on the four movements of Albinoni’s “Sonata Prima.”

The Cliffrose Trio closed the concert with a delightful performance of Beethoven’s “Allegro,” from “String Trio Op. 9, No. 2.”
The audience demanded more and the group satisfied them with an upbeat encore of “Pizzicato Polka” by Delibes.