MU students, predominately those enrolled in the School of Music, as well as other fans of classic musical literature could be found trickling into Whitmore Recital Hall at 8 p.m. Monday for one of the first Missouri Quintet concerts of the semester.
The Missouri Quintet is comprised of five members of the faculty and staff at MU. Flutist Alice Dade Del Camp, oboist Dan Willett, bassoonist Rodney Ackman, clarinetist Paul Garritson and horn player Marcia Spence took the stage in the muffled auditorium.
On the program for the evening was “Suite from Ancient Airs and Dances” by Ottorino Respighi. This was transformed from being a piece strictly for flutes to a composition that accommodates all the instruments in the quintet by Adam Lesnick, giving it a different feel from the original composition.
Next on the lineup came “Alborada del Graciosa” by Maurice Ravel, which was adapted for the group by the quintet’s very own Dan Willett. This piece required an appearance by baritone saxophonist Leo Sanguiguit to add the required amount of bass.
After an intermission, the quintet took the stage again and began with “Fantasy on a Fugue” by J.S. Bach composed by Lowell Liebermann. As the audience was informed, this was a piece originally written for flutes and known for its fast tempo. It was written on the anniversary of Bach’s 384th birthday.
The members chose Sextet in B flat Major, Opus 6 by Ludwig Thuille to bring it home. This is an exceptionally complex piece that required the assistance of pianist Natalia Bolshakova. The quintet said there are very few recordings of this work, making it a rare privilege to be able to hear.
“I enjoy interacting with my colleagues on a regular basis and playing high-level music,” bassoonist Rodney Ackman said.
Ackman has been an associate professor at MU since August 2005. He has 22 seasons as principal bassoonist of the Tulsa Philharmonic Orchestra under his belt, as well as various other accomplishments including having his music heard on NPR’s Performance Today.
Alice Dade Del Campo is the quintet’s newest member whose overwhelming list of accomplishments includes a degree from The Julliard School and numerous honorable positions abroad. She said she chose to come to MU because of the Missouri Quintet.
“I love this place,” said Campo, pausing for emphasis. “The quintet is a great group of musicians.”
Students are just as pleased with the quintet’s performance.
“Tonight was phenomenal because Alice is a brand new member,” junior Ryan DeLeon said. “She’s a beautiful addition to the quintet. It’s great music.”
DeLeon is currently enrolled in the School of Music and follows the Missouri Quintet.
The Missouri Quintet will be performing various other concerts like this one, located both on and off campus.