Music major Taylor Allen performed her senior recital on Wednesday night. The recital featured piano, flute, cello and oboe accompanists for some of the performances. Allen’s arrangement included solos, duets, a set with a trio of flute, cello and clarinet. Allen arranged the performance of a sonatina, two sonatas, medley and the “Essay.”
Allen’s selections for the recital met her goals for difficulty, a 20th century piece, and one of her favorites. Her favorite of choice was a medley from “The Lord of the Rings” soundtrack. She transcribed by ear some of the melody because the owners of the music rights would not make the music available to her. Cello and clarinet players accompanied Allen for the piece.
She selected “Essay” by Louis Applebaum as the 20th century piece because it displays the many sounds possible using contemporary techniques. “Essay” does not sound like most other musical compositions. It has moments of the traditional flowing music known from the flute. The majority of the piece does not sound like a melody but during the “Essay” the flute does its part.
Allen has performed in front of audiences before, in the Wind Symphony while a student at Colorado Mesa University. She flutes some rock and roll tunes on her own time and mostly plays Men at Work tunes and soundtrack music when she decides to go more modern. Her favorite composer is Sam Hazo and she composes music of her own as well.
During the recital the audience filled most of the available seating excluding the first four rows. The audience applauded after each tune and gave standing ovation after the final set. Allen has no plans for future performances and recordings right now, though she is sure she will be in more performances. Her main goal now is teaching.