3 minute read
Concert series strings along
9 down, 2 performances remaining
Eli Diaz / Roundup
Students took a step back in time to listen to classical music performed by Adriana Zoppo and Shanon Zusman at the Thursday afternoon concerts at Pierce.
The event was sponsored by the ASO in hopes of introduce a wide a variety of culturally diverse music.
Adriana Zoppo captivated students with her unique blend of period-specific instruments, the baroque violin and the viola d amore.
She is the Director of Ergo Musica in Glendale as well as a 2010 Beverley Hills auditions of the consortium of Southern California Chamber Music Presenters Winner.
Before she performed, Zoppo elaborated on the differences between the two instruments she played.
“It was nice to have an opportunity to share things that are unusual and most people don’t know about,” said Zoppo.
She also expressed the relevance of music fundamentals for students and gave an explanation of the difference between a viola d amore and baroque violin.
The Baroque violin has seven strings as opposed to four on the viola d’ amore.
“I think it’s important for any student to have a general knowledge of their subject and to find something they really love about it,” said Zappo.
Zappo reads the original music notes versus the constantly changing current day music renditions.
She was accompanied by Shanon Zusman in the performance that afternoon.
Zusman is a graduate of the early music performance doctorial program at USC Thorton School of Music.
His viola da gamba may look similar to a cello, but has frets, no stand and is held between the knees.
Zusman made his decision to follow music appreciation and fundamentals early on during a trip to Vienna, Italy while studying under a Fulbright grant.
He expressed his appreciation to the students for their undivided attention that afternoon and hopes to return for future performances.
“The audience was really attentive and quiet, it was a lot of fun. I’ve done a couple of the New Year’s performances and I’m hoping to do next year as well,” said Zusman.
Music major Adien Kiely expressed why this particular performance stood out to him.
“I liked this performance because there was a lot of contrast and similarities. They took influences from other countries and incorporated them in their own styles. It’s almost like putting your own accent on a word,” said Kiely.
“It’s like a meshing of what love is made.”
