Mark Fewer
violin
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50th annual concert commemorates infamous composer, musician and "Bad Boy" George Antheil
November 11, 2009, 12:00 am
50th annual concert commemorates infamous composer, musician and "Bad Boy" George Antheil
By Seharish Rehman
Contributing Writer
This past Thursday evening, an annual concert was held in remembrance of George Antheil, one of the most unique yet talented composers and musicians of the modern period (1910-1949). Held right here at UMBC, in the recital hall of the Fine Arts building, the show was just about to start as UMBC students, faculty, and intrigued guests arrived, waiting to see how the two musicians who had teamed up to reflect Antheil's musical stylings would interpret his works.
Marking this the 50th annual concert in Antheil's memory, the talented duo of Mark Fewer, a gifted Canadian violinist, and John Novacek, a skilled American pianist, presented Antheil's compositions of Sonatas 1, 2, and 4 in a spectacular manner. How was it though, that Antheil became internationally recognized, which led us to honor his unique talents till this day?
Antheil, known for compositions, as well as written works and harmonious melodies, was born July 8, 1900 in Trenton, New Jersey. His self-proclaimed "bad boy" image was acquired from his musical representation of his compositions. He used an array of musical instruments, along with clocks, sirens, bells, xylophones and airplane propellers. In "Ballet Méchanique" (1925), which set him apart from other composers of the modern period; the way he presented his musical pieces made him quite distinctive. After moving to London, the "Ballet Méchanique" made him internationally well known. Soon after his second attempt of this composition, at the Carnegie Hall in Paris, he passed away in New York City in 1959.
Even in the 21st century, his intricate musical compositions are remembered and celebrated for his distinguishing styles. Fewer and Novacek were not afraid to portray the edginess of his work within this concert. The violin strings were used harshly but still a melodiously; one could see it as a form of abstract expression. Similarly the piano keys were played with a lot of energy, bringing dramatic, playful, humorous, joyful, serene and energizing moods to the musical performance. The first part included mainly the piano and violin, and the second part had a minute transition of Novacek implementing the drums, to soften and change the mood. Anethia Benson, a student at UMBC explains how it was "jumpy, but sounds like it still had a purpose," and that she "really liked it."
There were even times when the audience found some pieces comical and entertaining at the same time, since there were unexpected transitions from high to low, or low to high keys. By incorporating the drums, and creating a mellow mood in the second part of the musical performance, the musicians brought the level of energy much higher in the third part of piece in which the harmonious short strokes of the violin were transitioned back and forth from dramatic to softer tunes – it was impressively used in a melodious sense, that needs to be heard in person to get the actual experience. The strokes of the bow were shortened to create that effect, and not as continuous, which is one of the parts that portray Antheil's avant-garde quality through his musical workings.
The entire performance was stimulating, in the sense that it is something that was quite uniquely expressed, making clear the way Antheil was able to distinguish his work from other compositions done by musicians of his time. After the show had ended the audience applauded and cheered Fewer and Novacek for quite some time, and stood up in recognition for their excellent performance in portraying Antheil's work. Indeed, his work was greatly appreciated for his eccentric and fresh musical styles, which were presented on Thursday.
http://www.retrieverweekly.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=4987&format=html
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