By Kenzie Smith, Staff Writer
(Poster Provided)
On Saturday, Elizabeth Bishop’s held her senior recital in Paul Recital Hall from 7 to 8 p.m. The first pieces Bishop performed were “A Pizzicato Lullaby” and “Pizzicato Paradise” composed by Adrian Gordon. Both of these songs involved holding and playing the violin as one would a guitar. “A Pizzicato Lullaby” consisted of melodic lines and chords that closely resembled the guitar technique, while “Pizzicato Paradise” followed more of the ukulele style playing with strumming and hammering.
Next, Bishop performed John Williams’ “Three Pieces from Schindler’s List,” featuring Natalie Dolan ’23 on piano. The three parts included “Theme from Schindler’s List,” Jewish Town (Krakow Ghetto – Winter ’41)” and “Remembrances.” Following “Theme from Schindler’s List,” which is comprised of the theme of “Schindler’s List” being repeated in different registers, the hauntingly solemn sound of “Jewish Town (Krakow Ghetto – Winter ’41)” filled the recital hall. This section of the performance finished with “Remembrances.” This song gave a sense of one weeping with moments that called back to the “Theme from Schindler’s List.”
Bishop composed the final two pieces of her recital. She first played “Quartet no. 1” featuring the Quarry Quartet. The Quarry Quartet included Bishop on violin, Leah McCann ’24 on violin, Nicholas Schwentker ’23 on viola, and Alicia Method ’23 on cello. Bishop wrote this piece while her younger brother was receiving cancer treatment. In the program for the recital, Bishop wrote, “The quartet follows my emotional journey throughout his cancer diagnosis and treatment.” The piece used various techniques, ranges, dynamics, and tempos.
The closing piece was “Variations on Beginnings” composed and performed by Bishop, featuring Dr. Avner Dorman on the piano. The movements of this piece were “Raindrops,” “Accidentally leaned on piano,” “Piano Line,” “Yet to be Named,” “Texture,” “Call & Response,” “Floating” and “Turbulence.” Through these movements, “Variations on Beginnings” explored different textures, harmonies, melodies, dynamics, and techniques for both violin and piano.
Bishop received a resounding standing ovation as her recital came to a close.
Afterward, Bishop shared, “It feels good to be done, but I’m happy to have all my family and friends here to celebrate.”
Attendees of the recital praised Bishop’s performance.
“I think Elizabeth is just super talented and really gifted in not only her ability to play the violin but also to compose,” Anderson Gray ’23 said.
Rebecca Ruggles ’26 especially enjoyed Bishop’s “Quartet no. 1.”
“I thought Elizabeth did amazing. My favorite piece was the Quartet that she wrote. I could really feel all the different emotions in it, and I just loved it the entire time,” Ruggles said.
Bishop’s favorite part of her recital was being able to perform with other musicians.
“It was definitely really fun to play pieces with my friends and my professor. I think that’s my favorite part, the collaboration,” Bishop said.
