Arts, Etc.Music

Durkovic displays wide range of talent

Timothy Durkovic was the premier artist in the first concert of the University of La Verne's Fall 2001 Concert Series. His selections for the evening included Joseph Haydn's "Sonata No. 37 in D Major," Frederic Chopin's "Ballade, Op.52" and "Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 in B-Flat Minor," Lowell Liebermann's "Gargoyles, Op. 29" and George Crumb's "A Little Suite for Christmas, A.D. 1979." / photo by Tom Galaraga
Timothy Durkovic was the premier artist in the first concert of the University of La Verne’s Fall 2001 Concert Series. His selections for the evening included Joseph Haydn’s “Sonata No. 37 in D Major,” Frederic Chopin’s “Ballade, Op.52” and “Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 in B-Flat Minor,” Lowell Liebermann’s “Gargoyles, Op. 29” and George Crumb’s “A Little Suite for Christmas, A.D. 1979.” / photo by Tom Galaraga

by Jaclyn Roco
Staff Writer

His hands flew over the keys, gentle at one moment, then increasing in intensity.

Guatemalan born Timothy Durkovic, who joined the University of La Verne music department three years ago, performed Sept. 14 in a solo concert in Founders Auditorium. He has been hailed by many critics as “Guatemala’s grand national revelation of the twentieth century”

The concert was one in a series of upcoming events, held to celebrate the Music Department’s newly acquired Steinway & Sons concert grand piano. Durkovic said having the piano, worth roughly $50,000, will benefit the Music Department.

Calling it the best piano in the world, Durkovic said his department spent a year raising funds to buy it. The piano was hand-made in New York and transported here, he said.

“We had generous people to get something like this,” he said.

Durkovic’s concert was held just three days after the piano arrived.

And what better way to show off to the students, teachers, and staff in a concert that was to be performed by ULV’s own artist in residence, Timothy Durkovic?

During the concert, the audience was mesmerized. They remained so quiet that every slight cough could be heard. Even children were awe struck by his mastery.

“How does he do that?” children could be heard whispering.

The program included pieces by Joseph Haydn, Frederic Chopin, Lowell Liebermann and George Crumb.

A piece that was particularly well-done was George Crumb’s “A Little Suite for Christmas.” Not only did Durkovic succeed in recreating a scene for his audience, (the piece was supposed to bring to mind the sound of bells); the audience seemed enchanted by Durkovic’s facility, playing both keyboard and strings within the piano. It is no surprise then that the audience rewarded such creativity with a well-deserved standing ovation.

Durkovic’s clear dedication and hard work were evident throughout the evening’s program, which more than justified the purchase of the magnificent instrument-an instrument bought to present a “higher level of music for the students” in ways of appreciation and the desire to learn, he said.

Jaclyn Roco, LV Life Editor
Jaclyn Roco
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Tom Galaraga, Assistant Managing Editor
Tom Galaraga
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