by Alejandra Molina
Staff Writer
Not only does the great duo, pianist Hao Huang and violinist Rachel Vetter Huang compose passionate and romantic music together, the two also explain the themes of the music they perform.
The program, “Romantic Visions,” was based on the romantic pieces by late musician Robert Shuman.
The love that Robert Shuman had for his wife Clara is what inspired him to compose his romantic pieces, Huang said.
The struggle that Shuman went through to marry Clara and the love he felt for her was heard through Huang and Vetter Huang at the Piano Fest Concert Friday in Founders Auditorium.
“Romantic Visions” began with the piece “Fantasie,” composed by Shuman, who is described as the “quintessential romantic” by Huang.
“I really enjoyed the first piece played by Hao Huang; it was very romantic and full of passion,” said Claudia Funes, a freshman member of the music appreciation class.
Huang sees Shuman as his role model because of his determinacy to marry the woman he loved, Clara, he said.
This love led Shuman to prove others that he was a great pianist and composer.
Shuman felt he had to impress Clara’s father, who was his piano instructor in order for him to be accepted as Clara’s husband.
This love was felt strongly by the audience.
“Hao Huang did a good job in showing the love that Shuman had for Clara. The way he played the piano showed the passion between these two,” said Corina Resabala, a freshman member of the music appreciation class.
After intermission, Vetter huang joined Huang in playing four different Spanish pieces, originally composed by Joaquin Nin.
“These pieces had a faster and more lively tone than Shuman’s,” said Resabala.
When Huang and Vetter Huang finished playing to Nin’s music, they returned to Shuman’s romantic pieces.
They performed three pieces; the first, said Vetter Huang, has a more intimate and gentle tone between the piano and violin.
Huang and Vetter Huang both have academic backgrounds and conservatory training that has led them to receive honors as performers and for their work in jazz analysis.
They both hold recognition from the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Vetter Huang earned degrees from Harvard University and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. She is currently on the faculty of the University of La Verne and Scripps College.
Huang is also a graduate from Harvard, Juilliard and SUNY at Stony Brook. He is currently a member of the Scripps College Faculty.
