By Alex Silverman
This outdoor mini concert is brought to us by Bard alums, Isabela Cruz-Vespa, Tobias Timofeyev, and Oleg Timofeyev. Together they perform a Telemann Trio Sonata in A Minor by Georg Philipp. It is an outdoor performance that brings a sense of peace and quiet in a time where peace and quiet is truly needed. While this performance is a stand out because of the music, it also stands out because of how and where it is performed.
In this day and age of digital entertainment where everything is accessible with the push of a button or tap on a screen, it may leave some to speculate how live performances such as stage plays, stand-up performances, and concerts can survive. In a way, this short performance does just that by adapting to the times of instant digital entertainment. This leads to a question – can live concerts and other live venues be held online and over communication services such as Zoom? The answer is not as simple as yes or no.
It may be easy to execute a solo, duet, trio, or even a quartet performance. But an entire orchestra with all the strings, percussion, brass, and other instruments might be hard to do unless properly equipped and staged. With this trio performance, it is simply a matter of watching and listening, and it is very well done. The addition of shots of the surrounding trees and flowers gives it a nice touch of nature and tranquility. All in all, it is easy listening with calming visuals in a time when it is truly needed.
I give this short a 4 out of 5 stars for its music, visuals, and what it tries to accomplish. Its focus is to simply let you listen to some classical music and to ignore your own problems for just a few minutes. It does leave you wondering if orchestral concerts can be done in this format but that just makes this performance and others like it even more valuable and needed now more than ever.
Don’t Miss Telemann: Trio Sonata in a minor, I. Andante curated by Bard College Conservatory of Music, now screening on Planet Classroom.
Alex is a recent graduate from Columbia College Chicago with a major in Comedic Writing & Performance and a minor in Writing for Television. Apart from his work as part of the Planet Classroom Network Film Selection team at CMRubinWorld, he serves as a screening panelist intern for the International Children’s Media Center, a sketch writer, and an on-set production assistant at the 61st Annual Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards.
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