Of all the stringed instruments, it has been said that the cello
most closely approximates the human voice. With that in mind, it
was fitting that cellist Joyce Geeting and pianist Christine DeKlotz
began their Saturday recital at the Brand Library with Sergei
Rachmaninov's "Vocalise." Originally written for voice and piano,
the tempo taken here was brisk and not overtly sentimental.

Following the "Vocalise," was "Elegy," a work for cello and piano
commissioned by Ms. Geeting from composer Carol Worthey. "Elegy"
was a musical reflection of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade
Center. She premiered this work in 2003 at St. Martin-in-the-Fields
Church in London. In this piece, the listener can hear the sounds of
birds and taxis, as well as church bells. The more dramatic center
of the work signified the falling of the World Trade Center Towers.
Ms. Geeting's playing was heartfelt with a lean tone. The firm
introduction and return to the main theme by Ms. DeKlotz unified
the piece, providing a hopeful ending. The concert was then
punctuated by Carol Worthey's reading of the 23rd Psalm.

The final work performed was the Sonata Opus 78 by Johannes Brahms.
Originally written for violin and piano in the key of G Major in
1878-9, this version in D Major was published by Simrock in 1897 and
not arranged by the composer. It did sound quite nice on the cello;
however, the intonation was occasionally compromised in the upper
registers. Ms. DeKlotz was an excellent collaborator, equal to the
challenging piano writing.

As an encore, the duo performed a fine rendition of Ravel's "Piece
in the Form of a Habanera," with the main melody taken from his
"Rapsodie Espagnole."

These were good performances in an appropriate venue.