Written by Kenzie James / Photo by Abigail Callicoat
Harding’s Department of Music opened its recital season this week with two piano recitals, from juniors Daniel Bennett and Andrew Richardson, and Director of piano studies Dr. Scott Carrell.
Bennett and Richardson performed their junior recital “Cousins in Concert” on Saturday, Jan. 25. The cousins are a piano duo who have played together for most of their lives. Bennett said he and Richardson began taking lessons from his aunt (Richardson’s mother) when they were five years old and have grown together in their shared interest in music. Music department chair Dr. Jay Walls said Bennett and Richardson have a noticeable synergy and empathy.
“It’s been a really good experience that not many people can get,” Bennett said. “Doing ensemble piano playing is always good and we both enjoy playing duets because it exposes you to new music, and also, it’s just a lot of fun to play.”
The cousins performed one of these new pieces, “Scherzo-Fantastique”, Op. 16, composed by Jean Louis Nicodé, in their program on Saturday. Bennett said the only record of the piece being performed was by Nicodé himself, along with composer Franz List, in 1882.
Carrell said he likes exploring and finding rare pieces like “Scherzo-Fantastique”. Carrell helped Bennett and Richardson prepare for their recital while preparing for his program on Tuesday, Jan. 28. While music majors are required to perform junior and senior recitals, faculty also frequently perform. Carrell said he performs annually because he enjoys the music and sharing it with others.
“Dr. Carrell, like I’ve said before, he’s just a top-quality musician and really knows how to communicate the musical message within any work of art,” Walls said.
Carrell said he learned to accept what the music sounds like to ensure the audience hears the intended tune.
“If I have a very clear idea about what this melody means, what I think it means, then when I play it, it’s going to take on a certain strength,” Carrell said. “Then the audience hearing that, they’re going to hear the strength of that, and that’s going to prompt an idea for them [that] might be different than mine… I want them to be moved by whatever it is in some way or another.”
