The powerful impact of the AMSF Community Outreach program was again evident at the recital on June 15th at Arbor Ridge Nursing Home in Silver Spring. After the recital, one of the residents, Opal, was so thrilled with the music that she came over and insisted on getting a picture with one of us. Her joy is reflected in that picture. Opal is 96 and she particularly enjoyed the singalong at the end.
The room was already filled with 20 residents when we arrived at 2:00 p.m. to set up and try out the upright Kawai piano. Instead of the large Garden Room with the Grand piano, the recital was moved upstairs to the smaller third floor Living Room because the Garden Room was being renovated. On the program were five pianists, a violinist, and a singalong. The recital started at 2:25 p.m. with a brief introduction about the AMSF.
The tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” is known worldwide. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) wrote 12 variations on this tune and called them “Ah! vous dirai-je, maman” KV265, which means “Ah, Mother, if I could tell you.” It is based on a French folk song. Alberto Gamez opted to play six of the 12 variations. Each one is a nugget and a joy to hear as Mozart adroitly utilizes changing rhythms, tempos, and keys. Alberto’s interpretation fully displayed his musicianship.
Returning to Community Outreach after a long break, Chris Witsberger played three pieces by American jazz composers. They were “Anthropology” by trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie (1917–1993) and saxophonist Charlie Parker (1920–1955); “Serenade to Sweden” by pianist Duke Ellington (1899–1974); and “Pastel Blue” by trumpeter Charlie Shavers (1917–1971) and clarinetist Artie Shaw (1910–2004). Chris’ competent jazz piano performance added a welcome contrast to the afternoon of classical music.
Our lone violinist, Stephanie Dailey, played next. She had the audience dancing in their seats as she played a beautiful tango called “La Cumparsita” (The Little Parade) by Uruguayan composer Gerardo Matos Rodriguez (1897–1948). This may have been a first for Community Outreach because in the past, most of the selected composers were either European or American. Stephanie’s second piece was “Ashokan Farewell” by American composer Jay Ungar (b.1946). Composed in 1982 and written in the style of a Scottish Lament, “Ashokan Farewell” was named for a camp in the Catskill mountains in New York. Stephanie succeeded in making the haunting melody sing.
Returning to our pianists, Claudette Sikora chose to play Nocturne in Bb minor Op. 9, No. 1 by Polish composer Frederic Chopin (1810–1849). Published in 1832 and dedicated to Madame Marie Pleyel, this is one of Chopin’s first set of three nocturnes. It is an advanced piece that requires tenderness and control both of which Claudette skillfully exhibited. Characteristic of her nature, Claudette’s sensitive touch kept the music tranquil and flowing throughout.
Recently widowed, Gregory Riviello still found the strength to participate. His courage is to be admired. Gregory took us first to the Baroque period and then to the Romantic period. He began with the Prelude from English Suite No. 2 in A minor BWV807 by German composer Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750). The dexterity of Gregory’s nimble fingers resulted in crisp and clean playing, a must for Bach’s music. His next piece was Etude in Ab Op. 25, No. 1, which was the second Chopin choice of the afternoon. Gregory played this Etude with a passion that transferred to the audience who erupted in enthusiastic applause when he ended.
Jodi Lipson followed with the first movement, Andante Grazioso, of Mozart’s Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major K300i (331). Jodi’s playing was very musical, and she highlighted the melody well. She was not at all intimidated by the numerous embellishments in the right hand — typical of Mozart — and delivered them with conviction. Along with the sometimes syncopated rhythms, her shift from the major to the minor key in the midsection was well handled. The residents rewarded Jodi’s effort with appreciative applause.
Carol Henry and Jodi Lipson closed the recital with a singalong. Carol led the song “It is Well with My Soul,” while Jodi accompanied on the piano. The words were printed and distributed to everyone so that all could participate, and so they did! It was a wonderful chorus of sound as the residents sang three verses written by American, Horatio Spafford (1828–1888). Horatio had lost his four daughters in a tragedy at sea in 1873 when two ships collided. His wife survived and was taken to England. Later, on his way from Chicago to England to get her, the captain of his ship stopped in the Atlantic Ocean to show him where his children had perished and, in his grief, he retreated to his cabin and wrote the words to “It is Well with My soul.”
After taking a fun group photo in our fancy sunglasses, we stayed and chatted with several of the residents including Charlotte, Carol, and Thelma, who said that they thoroughly enjoyed the recital. It was an extremely fulfilling afternoon!