Rhiannon Mim

Cynthia Bauhof-Williams and Jacqueline Petitto performed a concert using compositions written for four hands as well as solo pieces on April 7 in Founders Auditorium. Williams has been playing piano since she was in the first grade. She is a freelance musician and a private piano teacher at Pasadena City College. Petitto holds a doctorate of music degree in piano performance from the University of Southern California. Petitto has also taught at the University of La Verne and at USC.

Renee Bamford
Staff Writer

Four hands played in unison on a single piano as performers Cynthia Bauhof-Williams and Jacqueline Petitto presented their talent to the University of La Verne in Founders Auditorium April 7. Their hands danced along the keys and arms often overlapped one another as the performers played as one while their music grasped the attention of listeners throughout the audience of roughly 50 people.

This style of four hands piano playing, popular throughout the 19th century, was traditionally performed in a more comfortable setting as a formal way of entertaining guests. This style of performing would have been seen in settings such as a social dinner party in the 1800s and used as one of the few methods of entertainment available during that period.

“Watching them is so inspiring. Their music, their individual demeanor and body language speaks to me,” said Laura Fonville, senior business major. “They played as if they were one and their movements were very in sync.”

Performers Petitto and Bauhof-Williams began the piano recital with a piece by Franz Schubert. This piece was very complex and included several different musical techniques within this single piece which added constant enthusiasm on the performers’ part. At times during this piece Petitto and Bauhof-Williams would play softly and gently. Other more intense tones were played almost abruptly as they complimented the dramatic theme that the composer had intended. Following this inspirational performance were pieces from composers Maurice Ravel and Sergei Rachmaninoff.

“They played very well together as one,” said Kathy Lamkin, music department chairwoman. “They were really communicative with one another and had excellent technique and expression.”

The piece by Ravel was titled “Ma Mére L’Oye” and was a collaboration of movements from the Mother Goose fairy tales. This piece included several classic fairy tales, including “Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant,” “Petit Poucet,” “Laideronnette,” “Impératrice des Pagodes,” “Les entretiens de la Belle et de la Bête” and “Le jardin féerique.”

Throughout the night both Bauhof-Williams and Petitto performed a classic selection of pieces that held more relaxing tones as well as several different dramatic aspects that kept the audience on the edge of their seats admiring every note.

“The performance was very soothing, while having an added intensity of dramatic style at the same time,” said Krista Davis, senior business major.
Bauhof-Williams currently teaches private piano lessons at Pasadena City College. In addition to her teachings, Bauhof-Williams performs with well-known artists in the Southern California area on a regular basis. During her career she has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has worked at several universities including University of Southern California, University of California Los Angeles and Cal State Fullerton.

Petitto is a solo pianist and chamber musician. A former faculty member at La Verne, she has also taught at USC and is an active teacher at Pasadena City College and Los Angeles City College. Petitto has studied with pianists including Hans Boepple, James Conn and Antoinette Perry and has participated in master classes with internationally acclaimed pianists Earl Wild, Alicia de Larrocha, John Perry and Marc Durand.

Renee Bamford can be reached at belle_renee@yahoo.com.