photo by Reina Santa Cruz
Campus Times
March 4, 2005
University of La Verne Music faculty Timothy Landauer, cello, and Timothy Durkovic, piano, played a program of compositions by Franz Schubert, Ludwig von Beethoven, and Johannes Brahms at a recital, which took place on Feb. 25 in Founders Auditorium.
Two members of the music department showcased their melodic talents at the University of La Verne’s faculty concert Feb. 25.
In Founders Auditorium, cellist Timothy Landauer and ULV pianist Timothy Durkovic treated students and guests to a classical serenade.
The recital was a three part concert beginning with a Sonata in A Minor, D. 821 “Arpeggione” by Franz Schubert (1797-1828), followed by Sonata in F Major Op. 5, No. 1 by Ludwig Van Beethoven (1770-1827) and for the finale a Sonata in E minor Op. 38 by Johannes Brahms.
Warm and intimate, Landauer and Durkovic performed for a small audience of about 50. Landauer in a tailored suit and Durkovic in a formal tuxedo, made it easy to forget that you were in a small auditorium. The atmosphere made you feel as if you were at a professional concert hall.
Each melody told a story and the two gentlemen played with such emotion that you get a sense that this is their passion and that they really enjoy what they do.
For two hours the audience was captivated and the duo received a much-deserved standing ovation. The audience was more than satisfied.
“It’s gorgeous,” said Stephanie Barraco, a senior theater major. “I love watching people who really love what they’re doing and just get completely immersed in it.”
“Fantastic,” said concert guest Carolyn Grey about the recital. She heard about the concert through an email a friend sent her and was glad she came.
Not only was the audience pleased, but also the performers as well.
“In a performance, spirit and inspiration, these are things that I strive for,” Landauer said.
Landauer and Durkovic have impressive résumés and have experienced both national and international success.
Landauer, born in Shanghai, is the son of musical parents. Unlike many children who grow up in musical households, Landauer was never forced to study music.
“I wasn’t really forced into it, but I was born in China and that was really something that was necessary to learn, just to have a skill,” Landauer said. “It was like a trade skill, you learn, and hopefully one day it will be useful. Luckily for me I came here and I studied here so one thing lead to another and I became a professional musician.”
Laundauer understands that studying music takes up a great deal of time, but says that he had a normal childhood and he did not miss out on any play time. He explains that he began studying at age 10, which for a cellists relatively late.
Landauer, who in 1983 was declared “a cellist of extraordinary gifts” by the New York Times, is presently principal cello with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra. He has preformed at the famed Carnegie Recital Hall, the Ambassador Auditorium in Los Angeles, City Hall Theater in Hong Kong and in Hanover, Germany.
Durkovic, artist in residence and coordinator of the keyboard studies program, was born and raised in Guatemala City. He began studying piano at age five and eventually attended Juilliard School in New York City and Salem College where he earned a Bachelor of Music Degree. Later, Durkovic attended the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music where he holds a master’s degree.
In recitals and as a soloist Durkovic performs with orchestras in the United States, Europe, Latin America and Canada. His performances have also been broadcasted on stations including KUNR (Reno), TGNA and KXPR (Sacramento). To learn more about Durkovic and his upcoming performances, visit his Web site at www.timothydurkovic.com.
“The music department has a really good program going and they bring a lot of great people in that are really talented,” Barraco said. “More people need to take advantage of what we have here.”
Jessica Warden can be reached at jesselw@verizon.net.