Two Gustavus Department of Music faculty members, Violist Justin Knoepfel and Pianist Esther Wang, will present a joint faculty recital on Sunday, February 15. This recital will be begin at 1:30 p.m. in Björling Recital Hall. Admission is free. Tickets are not required.
Knoepfel and Wang’s recital will open with Bach’s Sonata in G. Minor for Viola da Gamba and Keyboard, and Trauermusik, composed in 1936 by Paul Hindemith. Dr. Knoepfel will then continue with the Elegy for Solo Viola by Benjamin Britten. Following intermission, the duo will return to the stage and perform the four-movement Sonata in A Major for Viola and Piano written in 1886 by French composer César Franck.
Justin Knoepfel, viola, joined the Gustavus Department of Music in 2009. Dr. Knoepfel teaches violin, violin, music theory, string techniques, and is the conductor of the Gustavus Philharmonic Orchestra. He graduated from Luther College with a degree in violin performance. He earned his Master of Music degree in viola and a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in viola performance and a secondary emphasis in music theory at the University of Minnesota’s School of Music.
Esther Wang, pianist, joined the faculty in 2004 and teaches piano, music appreciation, coordinates the Music Colloquium Series, and serves as the accompanist supervisor and coach. She is an active soloist and collaborator throughout the United States and has appeared on numerous concert series. Wang received the Bachelor of Music at Baylor University, where she studied with Roger Keyes. She continued her studies with Frank Weinstock at the University of Cincinnati, earning the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees. She also studied privately with renowned pianist Lilian Kallir and attended the Tanglewood, Kneisel Hall, and Taos Chamber Music summer festivals.
The duo of Justin Knoepfel, viola, and Esther Wang, piano, will present a joint faculty recital on Sunday, February 15 at 1:30 p.m. in Jussi Björling Recital Hall. Tickets are not required to attend this event.