Indra Thomas Recital at the Historic Ebenezer Baptist Church

On April 26, 2008 I went to see the recital of Indra Thomas presented by The Metropolitan Atlanta Musicians Association at Ebenezer Baptist Church. 

The concert began with four French songs.  In diction we are continually told that French is a language of long vowels.  As the performance continued I noticed that I hardly heard any consonants at all in the French section.  The only consonant I can recall hearing are the r’s in rose as compared to German in her performance of Zigeunerlider Opus 10 by Johannes Brahms.  In German I heard both vowels and consonants.  In some words it appeared as if they were said wrong but had to be pronounced in that manner as a result of the word that followed.  Indra’s stage presence was wonderful.  She became each character or emotion that was to sing.  A prime example of this was in Zigeunerlieder Opus 103 by Johannes Brahms.  I the set of songs she had to quickly become each character or emotion whether it was happy or sad and so, on.

In the Negro spiritual section of the program it was clear that she was enjoying herself.  She told each story yet again as if it were her own.

My voice instructor always speaks of my tone and how I should sound.  As I listened to Indra Thomas sing I realized the sound that I should have when I sing.  Now my goal is to work on developing that sound with my voice.  The concert was very beneficial to me personally because it helped me to see and have a real life example of what people are expecting of me vocally.

Leon Bates Steinway Recital

On April 16, 2008 I saw Steinway Artist Leon Bates perform in concert to recognize Spelman College as an all Steinway School.  The purpose of this concert was to celebrate Spelman College as the only Historically Black Institution to be an all Steinway School.  President Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum and Provost Dr. Johnella Butler accepted the award on Spelman’s behalf.

The Concert began with Three Impromptus, Opus 90 Franz Schubert (1797 – 1828).  Each Impromptus had its own feeling that it bought to the performance.  The first No. 2 in E flat Major varies between lively and dark colors.  In Leon Bates performance he elongates the darker sections and accents the upbeat in the lively sections.  Next No. 3 in G flat Major he keeps a fluid tone of ideas.  A circle of 5ths progression can also be heard.  Lastly, No. 4 in A flat Major returns back to a lively feeling as in the first Impromptus.  The distinctions between major and minor are very clear because of the change in tone from lively to somewhat sad.  The melody was maintained in the soprano.

Leon Bates made an arrangement of four pieces in the concert.  Each of the three pieces had a jazzy feeling and swing to them.  It was a contrast from the other pieces within the concert.  He included seventh chords and had dramatic pauses and retards throughout the piece Chelsea Bridge.  In A Flower is a Lovesome Thing; he outlines the chord in his right hand while maintaining tonic and root on the left.  He achieved this be establishing a clear pedal tone.

Finally he performed Rhapsody in Blue.  It was great to hear him play because I recall hearing him perform that piece at the Brooklyn Academy of Music while in High School.  At that time Bates stressed the importance that the piece never comes across the same every time.  It varies depending upon mood.  It was wonderful to see him play on a different stage with a different feel.