Health & Fitness
'Tango on Steroids': Virtuoso Pianist Graces Wesleyan Stage
CFA Intern in Arts Administration JoAnna Bourain '12 interviews Wesleyan Professor Neely Bruce about the importance of the Fernando Otero Quartet, performing April 14 at 8pm.
Wesleyan University Center for the Arts intern in Arts Administration JoAnna Bourain ’12 interviewed Wesleyan Professor Neely Bruce about the importance of the Fernando Otero Quartet (playing in town Saturday) in this entry from the Center for the Arts blog.
The Fernando Otero Quartet mixes the sounds of classical music, improvisational jazz and tango. The result of this mixture produces music that is quite impressive—the lofty instrumentation creates the illusion of a vibrant narrative playing out.
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The Fernando Otero Quartet plays the work of the Argentine composer and pianist Fernando Otero, winner of the 2010 Latin Grammy for "Best Classical Album" for his album Vital. The performance will feature Pablo Aslan on acoustic bass, violinist Gabrielle Fink, and cellist Adam Fisher.
Neely Bruce, Professor of Music at Wesleyan, spoke to me about the music of the Fernando Otero Quartet. He explained that, “It’s exciting, it’s full of variety, it’s very dramatic, very rhythmically complex; it sounds like tango on steroids.” The music clearly conveys the sense of a narrative, a narrative that could really be anything — as Bruce put it, “It could be a car chase or even two lovers.”
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When I asked Bruce why people should see the concert, he explained to me that, “I think people should attend the concert because it's dramatic music that has sudden shifts in moods that not everyone can cultivate these days — I think that he has a fresh voice that’s very distinctive. He’s also a virtuoso performer which in itself is a great thing to see.”
I deeply appreciate music that can appeal to both the trained ear and to the everyday person. It became evident to me after my conversation with Bruce that Fernando Otero’s music manages to appeal to both my untrained sensibilities and Bruce’s qualified ear. This inclusive quality mixed with a unique and interesting sound is surely to result in a very enjoyable concert.
Fernando Otero Quartet
Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 8pm
Crowell Concert Hall
Pre-concert talk by Professor of Music Neely Bruce at 7:15pm
Lecture/demonstration with quartet at 3:30pm in the Daltry Room (Music Rehearsal Hall 003)
Tickets: $22 general public; $18 senior citizens, Wesleyan faculty/staff, non-Wesleyan students; $6 Wesleyan students
