Hong Wang has a remarkable talent and it's not his cello playing. It is his ability to make the cello come to life and relate to the human experience. It's the way he hugs the cello tightly with his legs, prompts his fingers to tremble on the neck, and the vigorous bows that cause the cello to vibrate with depth and tone. Wang makes the cello croon all throughout the auditorium. He allows the cello to take center stage, making his presence less dominant.
In complete honesty, I used the recital as a chance to focus intently on finishing the midterm. I was planning on multi-tasking; blogging and finishing up the midterm. Classical music has always helped me study. Listening to classical music, live while I was working was a whole new experience. I had no choice but too use my ears to listen completely because I was focusing the rest of my senses on my computer. The music pushed me to keep a steady typing pace and to persistently work. Dr. Schuler sat not too far in front of me also working hard to the music's pace.
One could observe me at the recital and say that I was removed from the experience, but I would argue that I was more involved in the experience because I was using it to influence my work. The music calmed and pushed me to think critically and work at an exhilarating pace.
The recitals at Concordia University are really important to the diversification of students. I really hope that other students learn to appreciate them and go to as many as possible. Many college students waste away weekends at parties where they throw away all talents and senses that they possess and dumb themselves down. At Concordia University there are opportunities to gain perspectives and experiences through the recitals, speakers, and other events held. I encourage fellow students to spend their weekends gaining insight to other places and viewpoints. It is a part of Concordia University that I had no idea would be available to me.
