Photo by Veronica Novotny
Summer Derwald
Staff Writer
Three pianists performed classical music pieces at the first event in a new music series hosted by the Veritas Society Friday, Sept. 24, at 5 p.m. in the Gentile Gallery.
Nicholas Riccardi, a senior philosophy major and pianist of 18 years, played three pieces by Fryderyk Chopin, Johannes Brahms and Sergey Rachmaninoff.
“This selection of music … (is) very dear to me,” the concert program quoted Riccardi. “They all, in their own way, reflect a unique dimension of the human heart.”
Alumnus Paul Denley performed a selection of “favorites of his betrothed:” one by Philip Glass and the other by Maurice Ravel.
Finally, graduate student Alex Denley, brother of Paul Denley, played various selections from Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition.” The eight selections were tied together by all three successions of Mussorgsky’s “Promenade.”
“Beauty is the splendor of the truth,” said senior Andrew Anderson, the master of ceremonies at the Piano Night.
The new Veritas Society Music Series will continue throughout the semester with a series of lectures and performances like the piano night, Anderson said. The inspiration for the Music Series came from “a growing desire to foster Catholic culture on campus,” he said.
David Willey, graduate student and founder of the Gauntlet, a Veritas publication, said the Veritas Society is “(bringing) back Christian heritage by doing music night, an opportunity that we don’t normally get. … (There is) no better way of doing that than with piano music!”
The night ended with a standing ovation from the audience, whom Anderson asked to “please stay tuned for more events coming very soon.”
Sophomore Virginia Miller said the event was “an out of body experience.”
“They were … sanctifying the time by bringing their talents,” said Miller. “If they have that inclination to make music, they also have an obligation (to share it).”
Senior Gabriella Carrizales said she appreciated the community of the event.
“Being a sacred music major, it’s really nice to see … classical music being played around campus,” said Carrizales. “We have a great musical culture and I think (Piano Night can) really showcase the … diversity of the players.”