On Saturday evening, violinist Leila Josefowicz and accompanying pianist Pedja Muzijevic treated an audience at Spaulding Auditorium to a rich variety of classical pieces, ranging from works by contemporary composer Gyorgy Kurtag to a Beethoven sonata.
The program opened with Johannes Brahms' Scherzo in C minor, an intensely rhythmic piece that began the concert on a passionate note.
This intensity demonstrated itself not only through the music, but also through Josefowicz's dynamic movements and facial expressions. Muzijevic exhibited the same involvement while playing the piece, finishing the final note with a flourish.
Robert Schumann's Violin Sonata in A minor followed; the three movements juxtaposed strident sounds with moments of a softer, more delicate quality.
After the intermission, Josefowicz and Muzijevic performed "Suite Populaire Espagnole" by the Spanish composer Manuel de Falla, moving the program to a new country and style. The six sections all featured different sounds and tempos, but were united in their reflection of traditional Spanish folk music.
The duo performed Kurtag's "Three Pieces, Op. 14e," which was the most recently composed piece on the program. Josefowicz's specialty is contemporary music, and her expertise was evident in this hauntingly sparse piece.
Josefowicz drew out the final strains with long bow strokes, leaving the audience frozen for a moment before they broke out into hearty applause.
The program ended with Beethoven's Sonata in G major, No. 3, and Josefowicz concluded the concert with a robust liveliness. Josefowicz and Muzijevic received two enthusiastic standing ovations, once after the Beethoven piece and another after returning to the stage with an encore selection.
Though the program contained primarily more traditional classical works, the concert itself featured many new elements. In a post-performance discussion, Josefowicz revealed that her violin was only two weeks old. This new instrument correlates with her frequent performance of contemporary music.
Additionally, Josefowicz said that this was her first recital with Muzijevic, as well as her first performance at the Hop. Saturday's program was also Muzijevic's first introduction to the works of Kurtag, which he said he greatly enjoyed playing.
"I am very grateful to Leila for introducing me to these delicious little worlds," Muzijevic said.
The post-show discussion allowed several audience members to ask the musicians questions about their lives, careers and relationships with music.
When asked how she knew that playing violin was her passion, Josefowicz responded bluntly.
"Actually, I didn't really know," Josefowicz said. "I didn't really want to practice in the beginning, but it just sort of stuck with me."
Both performers discussed their musical influences as well as their lifestyles. Josefowicz described how her relationship with music changes every day, citing her eight-month-old son as an example of the different facets of life that influence her musical approach.
Josefowicz and Muzijevic both said that music is a full-time job that demands significant time and effort.
"It's a combination of sports and arts," Muzijevic said. "It never stops."
The program's diverse selections formed a high point of the show for many audience members. Though the pieces came from different time periods, musical traditions and regions, they all worked together to create a dynamic performance.
"I thought it had a really great variety; that was the best part," attendee Chris Magoon '13 said.
During their stay at the College, Josefowicz and Muzijevic worked with students at a music and movement workshop in collaboration with Dartmouth Dance Ensemble guest director John Heginbotham.
With their impeccable techniques and passion shining through every piece of the program, Josefowicz and Muzijevic performed an engaging show that highlighted the wonderful diversity of classical music.
