Arts
Issue Arts Back Next

Arts

World renowned musicians to perform

by Lauren Viera

Two of the world's most critically acclaimed musicians will make their way up Finney's steps Saturday night. Soprano Dawn Upshaw and pianist Richard Goode join together in one of the Conservatory's highest anticipated musical events to kick off Oberlin's 1997 spring concert season.

According to Assistant Dean of the Conservatory Ellen Sayles, the Artist Recital Series staff has "been trying to get Dawn Upshaw for several years." The American singer is the winner of numerous musical awards and has performed under some of the world's best conductors. Goode performed solo in Oberlin in 1994.

Even in 1984, when her career began to take off, Upshaw had already won the Young Concert Artists International Auditions. It was at that time that she was invited to join the Metropolitan Opera, of which she is still a member. Since then, the soprano has appeared as lead in over a dozen operas of different styles, including Figaro, Don Giovani and The Rake's Progress and has appeared with the Boston Symphony, the Chicago Symphony, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Cleveland Orchestra, to name a few.

"I think she's a terrific performer," Richard Anderson, associate professor of singing, said of the soprano, "and [Goode]'s a great accompanist and we're all really looking forward to the performance." Goode, whose musical history is equally as impressive as Upshaw's, has recently performed with the same orchestras as Upshaw, as well as return engagements with Philadelphia and New York, where he resides.

Amongst various awards and musical accomplishments, Goode is said to be one of the world's leading interpreters of the music of Beethoven. However, none of the composer's works will be performed this Saturday night. Instead, Finney's program includes Braham's Four Piano Pieces from Op. 118; five songs by Schubert: Im Fruhling, Du liebst mich nicht, Auf dem Waser zu singen, Dass sie hier gewesen and Der Musensohn; five pieces by Shumann: Arabeske in C Major, Liederkreis, Des Sennen Abschied, Die Lotosblume and Er ist's; and Strauss' Drei Lieder der Ophelia. This program, director of the Division of Vocal Studies Gerald Crawford said, is "not what you would normally find at a community concert. It's very Oberlin oriented." Though these works are not traditional concert material, the renown of each performer's reputation almost guarantees a beautiful performance.

In addition to live music, both Upshaw and Goode have released several recordings. Upshaw, whose first solo album won a 1989 Grammy for Best Classical Vocal Album, has over two dozen albums to her credit. She won a second Grammy for 1991's The Girl With Orange Lips and her recording of Góreki's Third Symphony is one of the best selling CDs of all time.

Goode, too, has released over two dozen recordings - some of which were Grammy nominees - but is, perhaps, better known for his aforementioned incredible performances of Beethoven's works. He first received national popularity in 1986 when he performed all five Beethoven piano concerti with the Baltimore Symphony.

"It's a rare treat to see these two [artists] together," Sayles said and added that tickets have been sold to fans from all over the area. In addition, concert-goers from as far as West Virginia are expected to attend Saturday's performance. With two such highly renowned musicians in Oberlin at one time, Saturday's performance may be one of the year's best.


Oberlin

Copyright © 1997, The Oberlin Review.
Volume 125, Number 15; February 21, 1997

Contact Review webmaster with suggestions or comments at ocreview@www.oberlin.edu.
Contact Review editorial staff at oreview@oberlin.edu.