As everyone knows, music comes in an enormous variety of flavors.  Fans of Oracle Band know that our repertoire is extremely varied and covers wide range of styles and influences.

On Wednesday, March 25th, Oracle's violinist Nikki Herrera moves to the completely opposite side of the musical spectrum as she performs her senior recital at Towson University in preparation for her graduation.  Her accompanist for the evening will be pianist Elizabeth Borowsky.

Many of the fans that hear Nikki perform have been asking when they can come to hear her perform some of the more traditional repertoire for the violin, and this is their opportunity.

The program is varied and technically challenging, and best of all it is extremely entertaining.

The Program

The program for the evening will consist of five works covering several historical periods of music history.  There will be one intermission.

FRANZ SCHUBERT - Rondo in B Minor, D. 895, “Rondo Brilliant”

Written in 1826, Schubert composed the “Rondo brilliant” as a showpiece for Czech pianist Maria von Bocklet and violinist Josef Slawjk.  Schubert himself attended the premiere. The piece was hailed by a critic for displaying “a fiery imagination,” the music first blown by “a mighty hurricane” and then rocked “by gentle waves.”

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH - Partita in D minor, BWV 1004 - 5th Movement "Chaconne"

Written during the period of 1717–1723.  Some baroque scholars suggest it was written in memory of Bach's first wife, Maria Barbara Bach  The Chaconne is the fifth and final movement of the work, and is considered a pinnacle of the solo violin repertoire in that it covers practically every aspect of violin playing known during Bach's time. 

Johannes Brahms, in a letter to Clara Schumann, said about the Chaconne: “ On one stave, for a small instrument, the man writes a whole world of the deepest thoughts and most powerful feelings. If I imagined that I could have created, even conceived the piece, I am quite certain that the excess of excitement and earth-shattering experience would have driven me out of my mind.

INTERMISSION

ALBERT GLINSKY - Toccata Scherzo

Commissioned by the D'Angelo Young Artists Competition. The world premiere was held in 1988 at the D'Angelo Young Artists Competition finals.

Described by Fanfare Magazine as "an encore-like showpiece, driven by a pop pulse," Albert Glinsky's Toccata-Scherzo is the composer's most frequently performed work, played regularly worldwide by violinists.

Toccata-Scherzo is a showcase for both the technical precision and the lyrical prowess of the violinist. The musical materials derive from various indigenous forms of American music.

EDWARD BAGHDASARIAN - Nocturne

A beautiful, melodic, and decidedly contemplative piece, one that elicits emotion from beginning to end.

MAURICE RAVEL - Tzigane

Written in 1924, Tzigane, or "gypsy", was inspired by a work by Bela Bartok.  Ravel, when he first heard Bartok's work, wrote to the composer "You have inspired me to write a short piece of diabolical difficulty, conjuring up the Hungary of my dreams. Since it will be for violin, why don't we call it "Tzigane"?"

Although Ravel is best known for his impressionist works, Tzigane reflects back to the romantic period with emotion and zest to showcase the violinist's technique, and sufficient dissonance thrown in to remind the listener this was written by one of the pre-eminent composers of the 20th century.

When and Where

Parking

Parking at the Center for the Arts in the evenings is free.  The parking lot is behind the building, and the entrance off the lot will take you to the Recital Hall, (the entrance is off the third floor...(no steps or elevators).

Directions to Towson Center For The Arts

From I-95 (northbound and southbound):

Take the Baltimore Beltway I-695 west (toward Towson). Take exit 25 (Charles Street) south. Proceed 1.7 miles. Turn left on Towsontown Boulevard and proceed to the first stoplight on Osler Drive. Turn right onto Osler Drive and continue through two traffic lights. The entrance to the Center for the Arts will be on your left.

From I-83 (northbound and southbound):

Take the Baltimore Beltway I-695 east (toward Towson). Take exit 25 (Charles Street) south. Proceed 1.7 miles. Turn left on Towsontown Boulevard and proceed to the first stoplight on Osler Drive. Turn right onto Osler Drive and continue through two traffic lights. The entrance to the Center for the Arts will be on your left.

From I-70 (eastbound):

Take the Baltimore Beltway I-695 north (toward Towson). Take exit 25 (Charles Street) south. Proceed 1.7 miles. Turn left on Towsontown Boulevard and proceed to the first stoplight on Osler Drive. Turn right onto Osler Drive and continue through two traffic lights. The entrance to the Center for the Arts will be on your left.

From Baltimore:

Proceed north on Charles Street for five miles. Turn right on Towsontown Boulevard and proceed to the first stoplight on Osler Drive. Turn right onto Osler Drive and continue through two traffic lights. The entrance to the Center for the Arts will be on your left.