On Sept. 28, the Conservatory of Music hosted a performance showcasing American pianist Robert McDonald at the Lancing Recital Hall. 

WHO IS ROBERT MCDONALD?

McDonald is a distinguished soloist and chamber musician who has performed throughout the world, both in the East and the West. He has performed alongside many notable chamber groups and done concerts for high-profile organizations and studios such as BBC, Chicago Chamber Musicians, Sony Classical and Vox.

He is currently a faculty member at Julliard School and Curtis Institute of Music.

THE PERFORMANCE

The performance was not just a time of music, but also contained bits of history. Before each piece, McDonald described the composition he was about to perform. He explained the background as well as the story of the composer who wrote that piece.

In the first half of the performance, McDonald played “French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV 814” by Johann Sebastion Bach and “Six Piano Pieces, Op. 118” by Johannes Brahms. After an intermission, the performance continued with “Sonata No. 2” by George Walker and “The White Peacock” by Charles Tomlinson Griffes. The evening ended with “Novellete, Op.21, No 8 in F-sharp Minor” by Robert Schumann.

The hall was filled with the flowing tides of various emotions, from melodies that were slow and soothing, to themes that were intense and passionate.

As the night came to a close, the audience gave McDonald three rounds of applause for his performance, including one standing ovation.