Acorn

The Concert Hall at the Dorothy Young Center for the Arts welcomed the Lincoln Center and the sounds of chamber music Wednesday night. This marked the beginning of the new concert series at Drew University.

Artistic Directors of Lincoln Center's Chamber Music Society, Wu Han and David Finckel, found the Concert Hall to be a perfect place for the musicians to share their talents, Han said.

The sold-out concert included audience members ranging from students and alumni to Dorothy Young-the art center's namesake-and the mayor of Madison.

The night began with a short speech by President Bob Weisbuch. The Concert Hall is "extraordinary" and "is due to the generosity of Dorothy Young," he said.

Han took the stage and expressed the importance of "cultural life" on a college campus. "We are very grateful to Weisbuch to allow this [the concert] to happen in this hall," she said.

Pianist Andre Michel Schub and clarinetist David Shifrin began the program with movements from  Johannes Brahms' sonata, "Opus 120, No 2." The passionate, yet calming duet was followed by Schub's performance of Brahms' "Opus 118." After the intermission, pianist Gary Graffman performed American composer Leon Kirschner's piece "For the Left Hand."

Graffman received the Leventritt Award in 1949. After an injury to his right hand, Graffman brought prominence to pieces composed for the left hand. He also was awarded the Handel Medallion from New York City and was honored on Philadelphia's Walk of Fame.

Graffman served as the president of The Curtis Institute from 1986 until May of this year.

Graffman followed his impressive and intense performace with "Suite for Piano Left Hand, Two Violins and Cello Opus 23" by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, a 1930s film composer. Graffman was joined by violinists Ida Kavafian and Erin Keefe and cellist Andres Díaz.

Senior Jessica Alquist, a music minor and flutist in the University orchestra said, "I really loved it. I love the opportunities to see classical concerts at Drew. It's great for student musicians to get the inspiration and energy from these musicians."

Katie Cooper, a junior and a pianist in the orchestra said, "I really want there to be more chamber music opportunities for students."

Arthur Paxton, a Montclair resident, heard about the concert from friends. He was impressed by the concert and was "amazed" that Graffman was "only playing the piano with one hand," he said.

 Jane Hecht, who has been auditing classes at Drew for the past 10 years,  said, "I thought it was wonderful. It's a nice, small hall to hear chamber music." Hecht liked the intimacy of the hall. "You are able to see [the musicians'] expressions," she said.

 "It was beautiful. I wouldn't have missed it for the anything," Young said.

Young was a Broadway actress, dancer, author and artist. She is also known for being magician Houdini's assistant. "It was unusual for a minister's daughter to do that," she said. Young is the daughter of Robert Young, a 1901 Drew graduate, and is sister of Professor of Latin and Greek "Doc" Young, who was also the founder of Drew's baseball team. She gave $14 million to Drew-the largest grant the University received-for its construction of the arts center.

Provost Pamela Gunter-Smith said these concerts will "bring the community to the University and the University to the community."

Han emphasized the significance of classical music to college campuses. "I think we all have frantic lives. In two hours, [a live concert] can give you the opportunity to explore beauty and emotion. It can give you strength to face the world. It's an experience for everyone," she said.

The Lincoln Center's Chamber Music Society was founded in 1969 and is one of 12 branches of the Lincoln Center of the Performing Arts. It offers an annual series of concerts to educate listeners from all levels of experience and involvement with classical music. The Chamber Music Society will return to Drew Feb. 21 and April 8, 2007. Both concerts are already sold out.

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