photo by Beatriz Mendoza
Martin Chalifour and Timothy Durkovic performed at the Celebrity Series concert presented by the University of La Verne music department on Tuesday in Founders Auditorium. Music by Mozart, Ravel and Franck filled the auditorium. A reception followed the concert in the Harris Gallery.
Students and Faculty received a special treat on Wednesday night when University of La Verne’s own Timothy Durkovic and Los Angeles Philharmonic Concertmaster Martin Chalifour brought three classical masterworks to life.
The evening began with Mozart’s Sonata for violin and piano in D Major, a delightfully lively and upbeat piece by a composer know for his perfection.
Chalifour and Durkovic then segued into Tzigane by Maurice Ravel, which was much darker than the previous piece and full of wonderfully idiosyncratic discord.
The set came to a close with Cesar Franck’s Sonata for Violin and Piano in A Major and an encore that featured a lullaby by a Belgian composer.
After the musicians left the stage, concertgoers were treated to a reception at the Harris Art Gallery, where, over brownies, coconut macaroons, chocolate dipped strawberries, cheesecake and coffee, both Chalifour and Durkovic mingled with the crowd.
Students and faculty alike were riveted by the performance, which duly displayed the massive talent that each man possessed, from Chalifour’s single-handed pizzicatos to Durkovic’s flurry of fast-fingered notes.
“For lack of a more creative term, I thought it was amazing,” music major Matt Breatore said.
“I was really impressed with the skills of both artists,” said Brenna Lampson, philosophy major. “I especially enjoyed their performance of the Ravel piece”
“Where else can you sit 20 feet away from the Concertmaster of the L.A. Philharmonic,” Math Professor Michael Frantz said.
Durkovic, who was born in Guatemala and has been with the University since 1998, serves as ULV’s current artist in residence and coordinator of the keyboard studies program.
He began playing piano at the age of 5 and made his first solo appearance at age 11. He quickly entered the National Conservatory of Music of Guatemala and began studying under Consuelo Medinilla. He was 17 years old when he completed his education at the conservatory, receiving a bachelor of arts in piano performance with highest honors.
“(Durkovic) is a world class musician who has the ability to bring in big names to play at the University,” said Reed Gratz, professor of music. “That’s our luxury with him on the staff.”
Chalifour, who has been the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Concertmaster since 1995, has also been the associate and acting concertmaster of the Atlanta Symphony and Cleveland Orchestra.
In addition Chalifour tours as a chamber musician and guest soloist, the U.S, Europe, Australia, Mexico, Asia and his native Canada, where he began playing violin at the age of 4.
“I enjoyed (playing at ULV) a lot,” Chalifour said. “We did a familiar repertoire, so it is nice to play with somebody new and get a different perspective.”
John Patrick can be reached at jpatrick@ulv.edu.