Marie Bagwell
Staff Writer
At 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 29 in Duncan, the Simmons Center hosted “The Three B’s,” performed by Cameron University’s Dr. Hyunsoon Whang.
Whang titled her recital after the famous composers Johannes Brahms, Johann Sebastian Bach and Ludwig Van Beethoven, and she played music from each composer.
The majority of seats were filled as the stage lights brightened and Whang sat at the piano. She began with “Three Intermezzi, Op. 117” by Brahms and ended with “Appassionata” by Beethoven.
Whang said she built the recital around “Appassionata” after a long hiatus from playing Beethoven. She said played his music often as she was growing up, so she decided to stay away from it for a while, possibly out of respect or fear.
After Interim Chair of the Music Department Dr. Gregory Hoepfner noticed Whang didn’t play Beethoven’s music in recitals, Whang said she decided to play some of his music again.
“I would always schedule my recitals,” Whang said, “[and] my programs would normally be a lot of Chopin, Mozart, Bach and Schumann.”
Whang said she had been practicing for “The Three B’s” since the summer of 2014.
“I’m just ready to be really playing a lot of Beethoven again,” she said, “and have a deeper understanding of his music and maybe play better than before.”
The second piece Whang played during the recital was “French Suite No. 5 in G Major, BWV 816” by Bach, a favorite that Whang said makes everyone happy.
“Appassionata,” or “Sonata in F Minor, Op. 57,” was the final piece Whang performed. The piece started with a very quick tempo, slowed slightly and then gained tempo again.
Senior music major Kathryn Adams attended “The Three B’s” recital.
Adams said she not only attended the recital because she is a music major but also because she enjoys Whang’s music.
Adams said part of Whang’s lure is her facial expressions during her fantastic performances.
“I love watching her perform,” Adams said. “She always introduces the music in an easy to listen to way.”
According to Adams, Whang is not only a teacher, but she is also someone who encourages others to perfect their own trade.
“It [her performance] brings a certain livelihood to it that makes me want to go home and practice,” Adams said.
Adams said she will continue to attend Whang’s recitals, even after she graduates from Cameron.