Cello Concert to Feature Graduate Student's Work

A unique combination of undergraduate cello players will present a concert this Sunday in Paine Hall, which will feature the premier performance of a selection composed by a Harvard graduate student.

The group performing the concert, the Vox Balaenarum Cello Choir, is composed entirely of undergraduate cellists from the Harvard community and was Boston's first all-cello choir when it formed three years ago under the direction of Alister Grieve '87.

According to choir president Elspeth R. McIntosh '90, this concert is unique since all-cello choirs are still rare in the United States, compared to their popularity in European countries. Cello choirs "are much more popular in Europe than they are on this side of the Atlantic," McIntosh said.

The Vox Balaenarum Choir, which means "Voice of the Whales" in Latin, has held a spring concert for each of the last three years. While this year's performance features such distinguished composers as Vivaldi and Klengel, the highlight of the concert will be the performance of an original composition by graduate student Noam Elkies.

Entitled "Fantasia: Al Kever Favi," Elkies piece was described by Michael E. Flexer '89, one of the 13 cellists in the choir, as "mellow and moody, with a deep quality."

Sunday's concert will feature one piece involving all 13 cellos and several others which include fewer number of players. Admission to the concert is free.

McIntosh said that the performers have enjoyed playing in the choir for reasons other than just the music. "Mainly we just like to play with each other. We want [the concert] to be fun for the audience and for oursleves," she said.

Flexer said that undergraduate cellists have expressed enough interest in the group to enable organizers to "build a large repertoire of pieces," involving different numbers of cellos.