Caelyn Meier Piano Recital Highlights
This semester, Caelyn Meier performed her Senior Piano Recital in Burckart Hall. The recital included works from familiar composers like Bach and Mozart and less familiar composers like Moussorgsky and Bortkiewicz. Her wide repertoire, in combination with her technical prowess, demonstrated her dedication to her music studies and left a lasting impression on her audience.
“Caelyn showcased a wide variety of repertoire demonstrating her ability to play with both command and sensitivity,” commented Associate Professor Janet Tschida after the recital. “Her piece by Bortkiewicz was particularly beautiful.”
Meier performed her recital to fulfill the requirements of a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music with concentrations in Piano Pedagogy and Arranging. After graduation, she plans to teach at Hartland Music Conservatory.
Nocturne
Sergei Bortkiewicz
Bortkiewicz lived from the end of the Romantic Era to the beginning of the twentieth century. While his melodies and chords sound like Chopin and Liszt, Bortkiewicz combines these romantic musical elements with technical simplicity. While playing this piece, Meier pictured the shape of the melody as a gentle stroll over rolling hills.
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Martin Luther (arr. Dan Forrest)
In this arrangement, Forrest begins with a melody that, while differing from the melody associated with the hymn today, was the original tune written by Luther. The second verse uses a simple four-part hymn style, and verse three employs a light, Baroque touch. Finally, the last verse utilizes an orchestral style like we would hear today with a choir and orchestra.
French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BMV 816
J. S. Bach
Meier performs three movements from one of Bach’s French suites: II. Courante, VI. Gavotte, and VII. Gigue. The Courante features fast running and jumping steps, and Gavotte features two steps and an up-up down beat. The Gigue brings the suite to a lively conclusion.