Guest Artist Recital
Southeastern Louisiana University
School of Music
Pottle Annex Recital Hall
Hammond, La
PROGRAM
Reoccurence (1990) . . . . Al Benner
Open Ayre (2013)
Contexts (2013) . . . . Joshua Carver
Ballade for the Hellenic Land (1996) . . . . Dinos Constantinides
Four Interludes (1995)
Two Songs for Cello and Piano (2011) . . . . Kevin George
Time Will Tell (1999) . . . . Rebecca Gillan
Tiny Cello Suite No. 1 (2013) . . . . Jennifer L. Mitchell
Allemande
Sarabande
Gigue
Interjectory (2013) . . . . Michael Paul Mitchell
Chant (1995) . . . . John Tavener
Paul Christopher, cello
Elena Bogaczova, piano
Staff Reporter
Published: Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Updated: Tuesday, February 18, 2014 12:02
Emily Stephan
Cellist Paul Christopher’s recital featured compositions from contemporary Louisiana musicians, save for “Chant” by the late John Tavener, whom Christopher wished to honor in his performance. Cellist Paul Christopher was accompanied on piano by fellow Northwestern State University faculty member Elena Bogaczova.
The Guest Artist Recital series kicked off at the Pottle Recital Annex Building last Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 7:30 p.m. with a performance by cellist Paul Christopher.
Christopher is a faculty member of Northwestern State University, where he serves as associate professor of music theory and low strings. From a young age, he was encouraged to pursue a career in music.
“It’s strange [that I became a musician] because nobody in my family plays music,” said Christopher. “I took lessons when I was a little boy. After I stopped playing clarinet, I started playing the cello in fifth grade. Mom would take me to concerts and orchestra events. She made time even if she didn’t understand it or have the same interest as I did.”
Accompanying Christopher was pianist Elena Bogaczova, for whom the cellist had nothing but praise and admiration.
“Ellen is on the faculty at Northwestern State University. She’s just a fabulous pianist, great collaborator and colleague. A lot of people can play the piano well, but not everybody can collaborate well. To be able to pair with someone and be sensitive, that’s a special skill. She’s just pleasant to work with and very professional.”
Bogaczova’s feelings about the collaboration were mutual.
“[Our collaboration] is always very enjoyable. We feel each other very well when we play together. I always love to collaborate with him.”
All of the music on the program was composed by living Louisiana musicians, with the exception of one piece by the late John Tavener. His piece, “Chant,” was selected by Christopher to honor Tavener’s memory. One of the composers featured, Rebecca Gillan, attended the recital and was honored to have her piece, “Time Will Tell,” on the program.
“[The composition] is a love story,” said Gillan. “It’s kind of a passionate piece. How two people meet and they fall in love, but the relationship’s kind of rocky. It has a tempestuous rhythm underneath it. The cello and piano go back and forth in this kind of a duet. There’s a fast, passionate ending.”
She was among the audience members who were impressed by Christopher’s skills.
“He’s fabulous. We’re lucky to have him here.”
Christopher loved all the music on the program, but felt there were two stand-outs.
“It’s hard to choose a favorite,” said Christopher. “The one I enjoyed practicing the most was the piece titled ‘Context’ by a student named Joshua Carver. It was challenging but expressive. ‘Interjectory’ by Mr. Mitchell was another hard piece, but it was also stimulating and fun. I like [all the music on the program], but those are the two I enjoyed the most.”
Bogaczvoa favored the Kevin George selections.
“I liked the pieces by Kevin George. They’re more easygoing compared to the first half where [the music] is more serious.”
The audience enjoyed getting to listen to such a variety of music.
“It’s different,” said Brianna Poche, an English major. “[The atonal pieces] are interesting.”
Some were a little alienated by the more experimental compositions, but enjoyed the performance overall.
“I thought the first pieces sounded a little chaotic and choppy,” said Cedric Paul, an English major. “The next two [compositions] he played I really liked. I could close my eyes and listen to it, and it set my mind on fire with awesome.”
Christopher feels students and other audience members can learn a lot from attending the Guest Artist Recital series this semester.
“It’s entertaining, first of all. You get to hear different kinds of music and receive intellectual stimulation. You also get to see a different perspective, different styles of playing. You get to know people in an artistic setting.”
 "Photo: Emily Stephan")
