From my recital last week in Denton, TX…

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II. Un poco Andante

From Concerto in D Minor by CPE Bach

Steven Harlos, piano

This was my very favorite thing to play on the program. I felt so free and expressive.

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III. Allegro

From A Fugal Concerto by Gustav Holst, originally for flute, oboe, and strings

Natasha Costello, flute
Steven Harlos, piano

I liked this piece when I first found it, but it really grew on me as we rehearsed it together.

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Memory slip

For the program, my concept was to create an arc of musical styles branching out from this solo flute sonata. I was committed to it, though I suspected it would be nerve wracking to start the program so exposed.

My initial plan had been to play a couple of movements from JS Bach’s Partita in E Major for violin. But I discovered Sardelli’s music about six weeks ago, and it fit my concept so perfectly- I had to include it.

My original ambition was to perform the entire program from memory. At four weeks out, I could tell it wasn’t going to happen. I had to settle for performing most of it from memory.

All that to say: I did the best I could with it, and I’m glad I get another shot in a couple of weeks.

It is sort of liberating do the biggest performer no-no on the list, and realize the world doesn’t end. And this happened within the first two minutes of the recital!

It did run through my head: “I hope everyone doesn’t think the rest of the performance is going to be this bumpy…” But when I looked out into the audience, I realized I knew every person there, on a personal level.

They were all friends, musicians, and family that have heard me play many times, and that I have had conversations with. I do think the kindness and generosity I felt from the audience affected the way I approached the rest of the recital.

It took me a few days to work up the courage to watch myself go through this on camera, but it actually wasn’t as bad as I had feared.