Sounds of Debussy travel through college campuses
Musical trio uses talent to capture student audience
By Judy Hu
"Three’s a Crowd" is a common phrase often carrying negative
connotations.
But for the Debussy Trio, performing as a threesome couldn’t be
more positive. Each concert is a marriage of the chamber group’s
instruments: the harp, flute and violin.
The Debussy Trio performs a program of contemporary repertoire
tonight at 8 p.m. in Schoenberg Hall.
The triad of performers consists of Marcia Dickstein, harpist,
Angela Wiegand, flutist, and Keith Greene, violist. Dickstein and
Wiegand formed the Debussy Trio in 1987 while they were earning
their master’s degrees in musical performance at USC, and Greene
joined a couple of years later when the original violist
departed.
"I was really excited about being apart of the trio. There was
much that I felt I could contribute; basically everything I had
learned while earning two degrees in music. We foresaw an extremely
bright future for ourselves," Greene says.
A wide range of activities has unified the trio. Performances at
the Kennedy Center, on radio concert series and specially designed
concerts for inner-city children and senior citizens have shown the
trio’s musical talent.
"Most young people might think that classical music is
difficult, that it is a thinking activity," Dickstein says. "It’s
pretty mellow and puts people to sleep. Sometimes it’s hard for
them to realize that the music can be really rhythmic, that it has
a lot of new sounds and is incredible music. Classical or 20th
century music encompass so much. It is not intimidating but
intriguing."
In its attempt to intrigue the college-age group, the Debussy
Trio has held artist-in-residencies at universities across the
nation. The performers will be visiting the University of Oregon
and Bard College in addition to UCLA.
"Hopefully students will be able to grow in their ability to
compose music through our programs. Especially by writing for such
unique instruments as the harp, it would be beneficial for them to
hear us play their writings," Wiegand says.
The Debussy Trio’s music fits under numerous classifications.
Whether it is classical, contemporary or 20th century music, the
group’s originality can perhaps be attributed to its "extensive
commissioning agenda." By hiring composers to write the group’s
music, the trio "builds repertoire and expands possibilities,"
Dickstein says.
Awards and recognition have been bestowed upon the Debussy Trio
by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Aaron Copland Fund for
Music, Inc. and the California Arts Council.
"It was a great honor to achieve such a status, " Greene says.
"It really helped in establishing a reputation to go on in the
business."
Prestige, however, is not the only reward the trio gains from
performing. Shortly after the L.A. Riots in 1992, the group gave a
concert in an all-African American high school in Watts. The
tension was immense, but the audience eventually became receptive
of the music.
"Such an instance really displays how music can break the
boundaries of financial class, upbringing and race to join everyone
together," Dickstein says. "Despite the huge upheaval, people were
united."
After nearly a decade since its formation, the Debussy Trio
cites performing together as a bonding experience they associate
with marriage – and all the tribulations such a close relationship
entails.
"It’s like being married to three people instead of two. It’s
challenging when you’re trying to achieve something without hurting
anyone else," Dickstein says. "It’s very emotional in that you get
attached to the music. But like any relationship, you need to be
open to trying new things."
CONCERT: The Debussy Trio performs tonight at 8 p.m. in
Schoenberg Hall. Tickets are $7.50 adult; $5 students and seniors.
For more info, call (310) 825-2101.
In its attempt to intrigue the college-age group, the Debussy
Trio has held artist-in-residencies at universities across the
nation.
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