By Ashlee Larrison
GCU News Bureau
The time has come again for Grand Canyon University’s College of Fine Arts and Production students to see what clarinet professor Tim Haas has up his sleeve for his Faculty Chamber Recital.
Haas’ Masterworks for Clarinet and Piano, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the GCU recording studio, with bring together the musical talents of Haas and COFAP Music Director Mark Fearey on piano for a performance of three intricate pieces of music.
The recital will begin with Robert Schumann’s “Fantasy Piece,” which the 19th-century German composer created in two days. Haas has never performed it but has longed for the opportunity.
The second song will be “Sonata for Clarinet and Piano” by Camille Saint-Saëns, a four-movement work created shortly before his death in 1921 that will cover a multitude of different tones.
The last piece will be Johannes Brahms’ “Sonata in F Minor,” which Haas calls “one of the truly great masterworks for not just clarinet and piano, but period.”
Haas describes the works as containing “amazing piano parts” that provide a lot for a pianist to do. But Haas has no doubt that Fearey will be up to the challenge.
“What’s amazing about Mark is that Mark can basically pick a piece of music up and play it,” Haas said. “He’s just an amazing talent … and Mark is always enthusiastic when I want to do these things. This program is a very hard program for the pianist, especially the Brahms. You don’t just throw a piece like Brahms at every pianist because it’s hard to handle.”
The feeling is mutual for Fearey.
“The nice thing is that Tim really likes to put in a recital at least once or twice a year, I think partly just because it keeps you working on your skills and sharing your love of music,” Fearey said. “It’s just a good chance for students to hear their faculty perform.”
Recital attendees can enjoy free food while experiencing first hand the talent within the college.
“It’s going to be a night of just really great music,” Haas said. “These pieces outstood the test of time, and even though all of them are masterworks, they all have their own character. They’re all quite different in a lot of ways as well.
“These pieces are hard not to like and I’m super excited about these pieces. I truly believe anyone who’s going to come will just have a really nice evening with this.”
The concert can be viewed via live stream here.
Contact Ashlee Larrison at (602) 639-8488 or [email protected]
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