Third Season of Steinway Recital Series Features the Long Duo

The Long Duo, Beatrice and Dr. Christina Long, took the stage of the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall on Oct. 5 for the opening recital of the third season of TAMIU’s Steinway Recital Series. The Long Duo has performed throughout the United States and Asia, having recently performed at the Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York City. “They are superb pianists and musicians. The Long Duo has played in Laredo before, and since we wanted to feature a piano duo team, we thought they would be great to showcase on the Steinway Series,” said Dr. Fritz Gechter, Associate Professor of Music and Piano. The debut recital of the third season featured the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, Robert Schumann, Bela Bartok, Maurice Ravel, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Astor Piazzolla. Some highlights of the concert were the duo’s performance of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor.”This piece [Toccata and Fugue] can be described as Baroque reinvented,” said Dr. Christina Long. Another highlight was a piece not listed in the concert’s program: “La Valse” by Ravel, a very diabolical piece. “Instead of [sounding] like it’s from 1850 Vienna, [it’s] more like 1910 Europe before the First World War,” said Beatrice Long. Some audience members shared their thoughts on the duo’s performance.”I really enjoyed it, especially the [Ravel]. It was really nice. I also really liked the Bartok-it was amazing,” said Stephen Miller, a TAMIU junior. While posters advertising the Long Duo’s performance were posted on bulletin boards across campus, TAMIU students and faculty weren’t the only ones who heard about the concert.Andres Coronado, a 7th grader at Clark Middle, said that his favorite piece was the Ravel.”They said it was diabolical, and it was in the beginning, but as [the piece] continued on, it got lighter and lighter. It ended amazingly,” he commented.With an estimated 200 in attendance, the third season of the Steinway Recital Series is off to a good start.”This was such a high-level and professional performance, and [I think] Laredo really wants to see these types of events, so we’re just happy to be able to bring them to the public,” said Gechter. Gechter’s words appeared true when after the Long Duo performed the final piece of the concert, the standing ovation they received prompted the duo to return to the stage and perform one more piece for the audience-“It’s Lovely Here” by Rachmaninoff.After the concert, a small reception was held in honor of the pianists. In addition, copies of their latest album, It’s Lovely Here-Songs & Suits by Rachmaninoff, were sold.The performance of the Long Duo is only one part of the intent of the Steinway Recital Series. The main goal is to showcase classical piano music performed by guest pianists as well as university faculty. The next recital in the Steinway Series will be on Jan. 16, 2009, and will feature TAMIU’s newest faculty member-Assistant Professor of Music and pianist, Dr. Mieun Lee. For more information about the Steinway Recital Series, please contact Gechter at 326-2639 or email fgechter@tamiu.edu.