Yasmin Alami and Joseph Rousos-Hammond
by David Fain –
I’ve been asked to write a review of Sunday’s final indoor concert series. I am neither a musician nor a music critic, so this brief review is from the perspective of a music lover, participant and SCFPA cheerleader.
Featured were two outstanding musicians, Yasmin Alami (piano) and Joseph Rousos-Hammond on the violin. The evening’s program included music by Brahms, Chopin, Prokofiev, and Beethoven. The opening selection was Brahms’ “Sonatensatz” featuring Yasmin on piano and Joseph on violin. This was followed by two selections featuring solo performances by each artist.
I found their explanation of the music and a definition of some of the musical terms very helpful. For example, I was familiar with the term “scherzo”, but didn’t know that it was Italian for “joke”, a light, or playful, composition found in a symphony or sonata.
The evening’s program ranged from the playful to the brooding and closed with the duo performing Beethoven’s “Sonata for Violin and Piano No.6 Op 30 No. 1, which was masterfully performed and a fitting close to the season.
I congratulate SCFPA’s leadership, board, and volunteers for providing a beautiful venue and introducing wonderful artists to our community. Bravo!