Classical Dichotomy
A spectacular showcase revealing the dichotomies within classical music
Abriana Church & Enoria Lee
Aired date: December 19, 2020 at 7:00PM
What is classical? Multiple societies and eras have contributed to our understanding of this vital question. Generally, something may be called a classic if it outlives its original generation, continuing to bask in the rays of recognition and reverence. In other words, not every clever idea or skillful work of art may lay claim to the name “classic.” It is a title that must only be bequeathed on those works or ideas which have stood the most extreme test: the test of time.
A Classical Dichotomy showcases variants of that which is considered classical in music. Tasteful ordering of the program conveniently divides itself into two halves constituting a natural dichotomy. From a bird’s eye view, the dividing line falls between the “great old masters, J.S. Bach and Beethoven,” and the “new”: Liszt, Rachmaninoff, etc. From these main branches, the program, like the veins of a leaf, continues to dichotomize and spread outward.
From a ground level perspective, the first sounds our ears pick up come from the mind of that incomparable godfather of Western classical music, J.S. Bach. His first violin sonata is in G minor, which necessarily utilizes rich and pure open strings. The calm meditativeness draws our thoughts inward and prepares the way for the intellectual clarity of the fugue. Beethoven’s penultimate piano sonata, Op. 110, picks up on Bach’s usage of polyphony, combining old fashioned fugal writing with innovative allusions to vocal oratorio.
The last four selections are post-Classical Era and might be compared to character pieces because of their colorful imagery. They are, if you will, classics in miniature. The first of them, Bazzini’s Dance of the Goblins, serves to make our main disjuncture between the “old masters” and the “new” highly defined. Mischievous and quick, it is all too Italian. Dance of Goblins is balanced out by a deliciously charming Rachmaninoff prelude. To round out the evening, Enoria plays Ysaÿe on one of the composer’s personal violins while Abriana performs her favorite composer’s variations on one of classical music’s most famous themes.
Abriana’s Bio
Although born in Arizona, Abriana Church has lived in Idaho most of her life. Since starting piano at the age of six, Ms. Church has gone on to win numerous competitions, many of which helped pave the way for her blossoming performance career. After taking five Idaho state wins, she secured third prize in the 2016 MTNA Nationals held in San Antonio, TX. Other regional and local wins include first prize in the 2017 Salt Lake Piano Competition, the Meridian Symphony Rising Stars Competition, and the BPYO Concerto Competition which allowed her to perform the final movement of Mendelssohn's Concerto No. I in G minor with each orchestra. She has since revisited the concerto in 2019 with The Master’s University Orchestra. Despite her success with competitions, Ms. Church finds the greatest amount of joy when sharing her music with eager concertgoers. She has given solo performances in Sun Valley, Portland, Washington, and California, including a joint concert with Dr. Indrek Laul, Juilliard doctorate and CEO and proprietor of Estonia Piano Factory. It was through her concerts in Portland that Abriana made a special connection with a piano teacher in Longview, WA, leading to a memorable series of concerts in a city with an exceptionally supportive audience. Ms. Church hopes to continue bringing classical music to people as either a concert pianist or professor of piano. More than anything, she loves to glorify her Savior through His wondrous gift of music. She is currently pursuing a degree in piano performance at The Master’s University where she enjoys wonderful instruction under the guidance of her beloved teacher, Dr. Kenneth Mays.More than anything, she loves to glorify her Savior through His wondrous gift of music and is currently pursuing a degree in piano performance at The Master’s University. In the coming months, Abriana will be performing Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Culver City Symphony.
Enoria’s Bio
Enoria Lee was born in China, and was raised to appreciate Christian Hymns. Music became part of her life when she started playing violin at 5. Under Mr. Jiawei Ma’s teaching, she participated in many string/music competitions in China, such as the 2014 CCTV piano and violin competition, Honorary Award; 2016 American Music Legacy Open Competition in China Final, Gold Award… In 2019, she had the opportunity to use her violin in service to several conferences, such as the Shepherd Conference, Truth & Life Conference, as well as the Sing! Conference alongside with Keith & Kristyn Getty. Currently, she is pursuing a BM degree in Violin Performance at the Master’s University under the instruction of Mr. Michael Ferril. She hopes to use music to glorify the Lord as well as to serve others by sharing God’s love, grace, and greatness through what God has been gifted her.
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