“He’s a composer you hear and you know: that’s Harry.”
Harry González is an MU graduate student studying music composition. He initially began his music career playing violin, composing music as a hobby on the side. When he got a scholarship for composition during his undergraduate studies at Universidad EAFIT in Colombia, he decided to change his focus from performing music to creating it.
“My first piece was composed in 2013; it was for string orchestra. But I think I seriously started composing in 2016 when I started my undergraduate degree,” González said.
During this time, González also learned how to play the piano and continues to develop this skill. On Sept. 23, he played one of his compositions –– a piano trio –– at the School of Music’s Student Composers Recital. He performed alongside Felipe Celis and Mitchell Sidden, who play cello and clarinet, respectively.
The piece itself is brilliant. It is a theme and variations, meaning the work features one central motif that develops and manifests in a variety of different ways throughout multiple movements, or sections. While the theme can be identified in every movement, González uses contrasting modes, rhythms and stylistic elements to make each movement sound fresh. Each variation has its own unique sound; some are dark and slow and others are upbeat and playful, yet they all fit together to form one cohesive piece of music. Not to mention, the main theme is extremely catchy – on the way out of the recital hall, audience members were humming the tune to themselves.
The distinct difference in timbre between the piano, cello and clarinet provide such a full sound, and the melodies effortlessly flow from one instrument to another. The intricate polyrhythms –– the simultaneous use of two different rhythms –– were timed and executed excellently. González, Celis and Sidden played beautifully together and exhibited mastery over their instruments.
“How Harry approaches the romantic theme is probably my favorite aspect of the entire thing,” Sidden said. “It’s very interesting to see how he develops it. A lot of what he’s written for clarinet is not only pleasing to the ear but also very fun to play. He’s written very well for the instrument.”
González composed the piece during his undergraduate studies. The piece premiered in Colombia in 2017 and cellist Felipe Celis played in the original rendition as well.
“I started playing in the same program as Harry; that’s how we met. Maybe 10-12 years ago,” Celis said. “ The music he composed is kind of difficult to play; it’s challenging, but you can see him in his music. He’s a composer that you hear and you know: that’s Harry.”
González wishes to continue building his portfolio at MU and eventually wants to receive a doctoral degree. He is also interested in music related to climate change, having seen other composers use their music to raise awareness about current environmental issues.
“For example, there is an Australian composer who wrote a string quartet about the wildfires in Australia by recreating the sound of burning wood with the strings,” González said.
Incorporating these elements into his own music may be a future passion project for González as he continues his education at MU. Although being here has been quite the adjustment, González is excited for the opportunities ahead.
“[MU] has many opportunities for young composers to play their music,” González said. “It has connected me to so many institutions, professors. There is a lot to do and a lot to learn here.”
Edited by Egan Ward | eward@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Grace Knight and Emily Rutledge | erutledge@themaneater.com
