Classics to Moderns
Four stars
Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center;
March 24

From music of Haydn to a present day composer, faculty of UIndy played a span of works for a variety of ensembles. The Haydn piano trio, consisting of piano, violin and cello, featured Richard Ratliff, Davis Brooks and Dennis McCafferty playing as a solid unit. Brooks and McCafferty then teamed up for Bohuslav Martinu’s Duo No. 2 for violin and cello. Poor Martinu’s works seem to be neglected these days, and I’m unsure as to why, as his writing can be exquisite at times. Michael Hunt’s Space: Inner/Outer was a very intriguing piece for piano and percussion, only the percussionist was playing the piano as well! While Ratliff was at the keys playing very astral, enigmatic chords, percussionist Paul Berns was manipulating the strings of the piano, creating an array of sounds. I found it a very contemplative and enjoyable work. Marko Petricic closed the evening with a transcription of organ and violin works on his bayan, a Russian type of accordion. He was stunning when I heard him many months ago, and he was stunning this time as well.