The renowned Nash Ensemble of London returned to the University for a week-long residency last week.
The group is considered by many to be among the world's foremost chamber music ensembles.
The residency consisted primarily of a master class in which the London musicians worked closely with three current students.
Jonathan Vinacour '01 and Andrew Luse '02 both participated in the residency two years ago, and had the opportunity to do so again this year.
Luse said it has been a wonderful experience to interact with seasoned professional musicians. "Both times that they have been here, they have come to lunch at one of the eating clubs, and we've had a 'jolly time' as the Brits would say," he said in an e-mail.
"All of the musicians in the Nash are fabulous players and teachers," he said. "The members of the Nash are also really genuine, down-to-earth people."
The Nash Ensemble was founded in 1964 by Amelia Freedman, its artistic director. It has won critical acclaim for more than 30 years.
The ensemble has performed all over the world, including Europe, the United States, South America, Canada, India, the Near East and the Far East.
On April 3, the Department of Music and Princeton University Concerts sponsored a master class at Taplin Auditorium in Fine Hall. Several student ensembles performed single movements from works they are currently studying, and the members of the Nash Ensemble offered critiques and suggestions.
During the week, individual members of the Nash Ensemble worked with other student ensembles. Nash coaches this year included specialists on winds, strings, piano and harp.
Unlike the master class, which was open to the public, the coaching sessions were private to allow the student performers and their coaches the opportunity to work together candidly and intensely.
On April 5, Princeton University Concerts presented the Nash Ensemble in its Chamber Masterworks Series for 2000-2001.
The program included "Three Farewells" commissioned by the Nash Ensemble from Mark-Anthony Turnage; the "Clarinet Quintet in B-flat Major" of Carl Maria von Weber; the "Introduction and Allegro for Flute, Clarinet, Harp, and String Quartet" of Maurice Ravel; and Robert Schumann's "Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Opus 44.
On April 8, the Nash Ensemble performed new compositions written by two graduate student composers, Alan Shockley and Van Stiefel. The scores of these compositions were prepared especially for this year's Nash Ensemble residency. They were sent to London to be rehearsed by the ensemble prior to their arrival in the United States.
The day before, there was a special concert for children at Richardson Auditorium called "The Joy of Chamber Music." The program was designed to introduce music for small ensembles to young children.
The performance was followed by a time in which children could ask questions, meet the performers, and see their instruments up close.
Vinocour echoed Luse's sentiments about the ensemble. "They're a fantastic group, both as performers and teachers, and their biannual residency here is one of the best elements of the Program in Musical Performance," he said in an e-mail.
"What makes the group special is that they, as Europeans, bring a fresh approach to musical performance and teaching that differs slightly but importantly from what you would typically find in a major American conservatory," he said.
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