Cindy Moyer and Daniela Mineva Play Beethoven and Debussy

Violinist Cindy Moyer begins her project of playing all 10 Beethoven violin sonatas in an HSU Music Faculty Artist Series concert with pianist Daniela Mineva on Saturday, October 13 in Fulkerson Recital Hall.

She starts with the first one—the Sonata in D Major for Piano and Violin, which Beethoven wrote when he was 29. “While it’s an early piece, it is clearly recognizable as mature Beethoven,” Moyer said. “The first movement is stormy and dramatic, while the last movement is lilting.” She plans to play the other nine violin sonatas over the course of several future recitals.

Also on the program are the Sonata for Violin and Piano by Claude Debussy. “This is the 150th anniversary of Debussy’s birth, so playing his only violin sonata seems appropriate,” Moyer said. “It combines Debussy’s typical dreamy, ethereal style with some more direct and energetic sections."

Witold Lutoslawski was a leading 20th century composer and, with Chopin, one of the greatest Polish composers ever, Moyer notes. Written late in his career in 1984, the Partita for Violin and Piano combines traditional and experimental elements, assuring a unique performance each time. “While the harmonies are definitely modern, I hope listeners will find the piece exciting, dramatic and interesting to listen to.”

Moyer and Mineva also combine on From My Homeland by 19th century Czech composer Bedrich Smetana.  Based on folk melodies, "this piece features sweeping, lyrical melodies contrasted with fast and flashy sections," Moyer said.

Moyer plays one solo selection: Fantasia No. 7 by George Philipp Telemann. “He wrote this at about the same time as Bach composed his famous solo violin pieces. But this is on a much more intimate scale, and is much easier to understand on a first hearing.”

The Faculty Artists Series concert with Cindy Moyer and Daniela Mineva is Saturday, October 13 at 8 p.m. in the Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus in Arcata. Tickets: $8/$3 from HSU Box Office (826-3928) or at the door. Produced by HSU Music Department. 

Media:  Humboldt State Now , Tri-City Quarterly