Faculty duo represents a cornucopia of music styles
The first faculty piano recital for Irvine Valley College’s new Performing Arts Center premiered Nov. 30 at 8 p.m.
The program included seven songs, the last one arranged by Daniel Luzko, who played the piano.
The first song, “Symphony No. 40-Allegro Molto” bounced, which resonated like a trotting horse prancing about the tall building. It flowed leisurely, but with a few segments crashing into a dramatic scene it was as if horses rushed into a dangerous foxhunt.
The second song, “Mother Goose,” had five components. This song shone uniquely because it included a narrator. It began speculatively, delved into a huff, and then heightened with suspense, splattering to a finale.
Luzko wrote the song “Travels” in 1966. A projector stood behind the pianos that acquainted the audience with pictures from Peru and Argentina, which inspired the writer. The slideshow consisted of pictures of mountains, ocean, and nude paintings.
The final song before intermission triumphed as the most colorful and upbeat. It sounded like a song that would be used in glorious celebration. It would not be surprising to hear this song trumpeting on the computer game, Oregon Trail, when the settlers first set off.
The last remaining songs popped bellows and clashes, sometimes reminiscent of a typewriter. But the last song called “Estancia” won approval from many audience members. It was very similar to a 20s style of playing. Luzko pounded his palms on the instrument, eventually evolving to the use of his whole arm to convey emotion. Anger and frustration exploded from his blows.
The performance thrilled many listeners, who applauded loudly after each song. This was the last IVC faculty piano duo for the fall semester, but it ended with a bang.