Graduation Recital by Composer Andrew Hsu

The graduation recital of composer Andrew Hsu. He entered Curtis in 2008 from Fremont, CA, earned a piano degree in 2013 and in 2014 earned his music composition degree. His program:

Andrew Hsu: lucid fission
Andrew Hsu, piano

During the first half of the recital, Andrew showcases his skills as pianist as well as composer. He begins with a piece he wrote for himself called “lucid fission” composed in 2014.

Andrew Hsu: Teasdale Songs
Sarah Shafer, soprano; Andrew Hsu, piano

The Teasdale Songs for voice and piano is base on poetry by Sara Teasdale (1884-1933) Sara Teasdale was an American poet who was admired for her “well-crafted lyrical poetry.” Hsu chose three poems from her earlier collection to compose songs for voice and piano. The piece can conjure up romantic feelings as well as emotional conflicts. The poems are The Fountain and To a Picture of Eleonora Duse.

Andrew Hsu: Philtrum
Alize Rozsnyai, soprano; Zachary Mowitz, cello

Hsu composed Philtrum for voice and cello in 2013. Text comes from the poem Philtrum written by Taije Silverman. Philtrum is a vertical groove between the base of the nose and the border of the upper lip. There is a great Jewish mythology saying how the angel Gabriel created the Philtrum. Andrew Hsu explains the story.

Andrew Hsu: String Quartet No. 1 (“idée fixe”)
Eunice Kim, violin; Brandon Garbot, violin; Born Lau, viola; Will Chow, cello

Hsu’s String Quartet No. 1 (“idée fixe”) is a little more traditional. The movements are marked: Obsession: Very slowly, but intense; Extravagance: Impetuous, fiery; Meditation: Almost religiously.