Paula Robison and Katherine Chi to play a free concert at New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall, by Michael Miller
Paula Robison, flute
Katherine Chi, piano
NEC’s Jordan Hall, September 25, 2011 - 2 pm
FREE
Paula Robison, who occupies the Donna Hieken Flute Chair on NEC's faculty, presents a recital in collaboration with pianist Katherine Chi '89 M.M., '92 A.D., '11 D.M.A. In addition to works for flute and piano, both artists will perform unaccompanied works for their instruments.
Griffes - Poem for flute and piano
Three Tone-Pictures, Op. 5, for solo piano
Lanier - Wind Song for solo flute
Taffanel - Fantasy on Themes from Weber's Der Freischutz, for flute and piano
Franck - Sonata in A Major for flute and piano
I don't mind confessing that I never fully appreciated the flute until I heard Paula Robison play the instrument. The range of color and expression she can create with it are truly astonishing, and she has the ability to make every note count, as Pablo Casals could, and a few of the very best of the musicians who have passed through Marlboro.
On Sunday she will play for her students and colleagues at the New England Conservatory, as well as the rest of us, and I think that will bring a special sense of occasion—not that that is ever lacking at any of her concerts. Lately she has been venturing out into other forms of expression, notably the Sprechstimme in Schoenberg's Pierrot Lunaire, in which she has also played the flute part. As when she plays her flute, she approaches this with terrific concentration and fanatical preparation.

