Concert 3 – "Titanic"
The of Music of Górecki and Bacewicz
Sunday, November 23, 2025 @ 3:00 PM
Viterbo University Nola Starling Recital Hall
Michael Chesher, clarinet | Thomas Hunt, horn | Alyssa Gaines, flute | Timothy Shows, oboe
Jeff Copp, bassoon | Mary Ellen Haupert, piano
PROGRAM
Grażyna Bacewicz (1909 - 1969)
Kaprys Polski for Clarinet and Piano
Michael Chesher, clarinet | Mary Ellen Haupert, piano
NOTES:
The Polish Caprice is a miniature piece of virtuosic character, lasting less than three minutes, which allows the performer to display the clarinet's energy and timbral variety. It begins with a slow Andante, lyrical introduction, where the wind instrument leads a calm, singing theme agains colorful chords in the piano, a brief cadence is followed by a Presto dance in duple-simple meter of a distinctly folk character. The lilting cadence of the dance is disrupted in a witty way by one-, two-, and three-bar motifs in triple-simple meter and cadential passages in the clarinet. The wind instruent's virtuosity is decidedly to the fore, and its rising triplet progression leads to the work's conclusion. Bacewicz's Polish Caprice is a colorful composition, which may be used as an interesting study piece, and thanks to its high level of virtuosity, it will enrich many a clarinet recital.
- Jadwiga Czarkowska (translated by John Comber)
Mikolaj Piotr Górecki (b. 1971)
Trio Titanic for Clarinet, Horn, and Piano, Op. 38
I. Lento espressivo
II. Quasi una burlesca, Vivace ("Don't you hear the band playing?")
III. Agitato
Michael Chesher, clarinet | Thomas Hunt, horn | Mary Ellen Haupert, piano
NOTES:
It is still debated whether music can really express anything, however the word "Titanic" used in the title itself has so many cultural connotations that it makes certain associations obvious. What's more, the second part Quasi una burlesca. Vivace has been given the following subtitle from the composer, "Can't you hear the band playing?" - words attributed to one of the oceanliner's passengers an hour or so before the ship sank. The middle section of the trio is consistently danceable (the composer used the rhythm from both foxtrot and ragtime). It is preceded by a swingy and melodious Lento espressivo with encompassing instrumental parts. The contemplative and even grim ambient of the final passage is evident in the composer's use of the 1912 poem, Titanic, by Czeslaw Melosz. The Nobel Prize winner said himself: "Titanic. The end of an era? Is it because we can no longer feel safe? Because nothng can protect us? Not money, not changing for dinner every night, no the smell of cigars, not the Progress. It won't be a custom; it won't be a good and devoted service. Neither Greek nor Latin at school, not the law, not churches, not anything else. Has anything ever been protected by anything at all?"
- Jadwiga Kubieniec
BRIEF INTERMISSION
Grażyna Bacewicz
Quintet for Winds (1932)
I. Allegro
II. Air. Andante
III. Allegretto
IV. Vivo
Michael Chesher, clarinet | Thomas Hunt, horn | Alyssa Gaines, flute | Timothy Shows, oboe | Jeff Copp, bassoon
NOTES:
Bacewicz’s compositional output can be divided into four periods: 1932-44, 1945-54, 1955-60, 1961-69. This award-winning quintet (1st prize at the Concours de la Societe “Aide aux femmes de professions libres” Paris 1933) falls into the first period, which is influenced by Bacewicz’s study with her teacher Kazimierz Sikorski (Warsaw) and Nadia Boulanger (Paris). Thus, it is a neo-classical composition characterized by clarity, and wit; and also by interesting bi-tonal melodic lines, and harmonic combinations. Flexible phrasing and metric displacement make it sound as if it were influenced by music of Poulenc. The first movement Allegro is composed in sonata form. The following two movements have folk elements imbedded in the music, and the last movement vivo incorporates Baroque restyling. This work requires solo and ensemble rhythmic precision. Looking from this perspective, the hardest movements to play together as an ensemble are movements III and IV. The sixteenth note lines near the end of the piece present a special difficulty. Played well it creates a brilliant ending.
- Marta Troicki
Mikolaj Piotr Górecki
“Burlesca” (1971)
Lento - piu mosso - energico - meno mosso - energico - poco piu mosso - meno mosso - Lento
Michael Chesher, clarinet | Thomas Hunt, horn | Alyssa Gaines, flute | Timothy Shows, oboe | Jeff Copp, bassoon | Mary Ellen Haupert, piano
NOTES:
This work is dedicated to Beata Bilińska and the Cracow Woodwind Quintet, commissioned by the Musica Mundana Foundation. The piece was premiered in March, 2018, at the chamber hall of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice. The work presents mysterious, sorrowful, expressive melodies with minimalistic elements. There can be heard the influence of Górecki’s teachers, especially his father, particularly with the regard to the melodic treatment, strong rhythmic pulse and rich harmony in climatic moments. The most difficult ensemble playing problems are present in the unison melodies played in duets. This is present in the beginning of the piece where the flute and piano are in unison, and through out the composition where different wind instrument pairs play.
- Marta Troicki
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
The of Music of Górecki and Bacewicz
Sunday, November 23, 2025 @ 3:00 PM
Viterbo University Nola Starling Recital Hall
Michael Chesher, clarinet | Thomas Hunt, horn | Alyssa Gaines, flute | Timothy Shows, oboe
Jeff Copp, bassoon | Mary Ellen Haupert, piano
PROGRAM
Grażyna Bacewicz (1909 - 1969)
Kaprys Polski for Clarinet and Piano
Michael Chesher, clarinet | Mary Ellen Haupert, piano
NOTES:
The Polish Caprice is a miniature piece of virtuosic character, lasting less than three minutes, which allows the performer to display the clarinet's energy and timbral variety. It begins with a slow Andante, lyrical introduction, where the wind instrument leads a calm, singing theme agains colorful chords in the piano, a brief cadence is followed by a Presto dance in duple-simple meter of a distinctly folk character. The lilting cadence of the dance is disrupted in a witty way by one-, two-, and three-bar motifs in triple-simple meter and cadential passages in the clarinet. The wind instruent's virtuosity is decidedly to the fore, and its rising triplet progression leads to the work's conclusion. Bacewicz's Polish Caprice is a colorful composition, which may be used as an interesting study piece, and thanks to its high level of virtuosity, it will enrich many a clarinet recital.
- Jadwiga Czarkowska (translated by John Comber)
Mikolaj Piotr Górecki (b. 1971)
Trio Titanic for Clarinet, Horn, and Piano, Op. 38
I. Lento espressivo
II. Quasi una burlesca, Vivace ("Don't you hear the band playing?")
III. Agitato
Michael Chesher, clarinet | Thomas Hunt, horn | Mary Ellen Haupert, piano
NOTES:
It is still debated whether music can really express anything, however the word "Titanic" used in the title itself has so many cultural connotations that it makes certain associations obvious. What's more, the second part Quasi una burlesca. Vivace has been given the following subtitle from the composer, "Can't you hear the band playing?" - words attributed to one of the oceanliner's passengers an hour or so before the ship sank. The middle section of the trio is consistently danceable (the composer used the rhythm from both foxtrot and ragtime). It is preceded by a swingy and melodious Lento espressivo with encompassing instrumental parts. The contemplative and even grim ambient of the final passage is evident in the composer's use of the 1912 poem, Titanic, by Czeslaw Melosz. The Nobel Prize winner said himself: "Titanic. The end of an era? Is it because we can no longer feel safe? Because nothng can protect us? Not money, not changing for dinner every night, no the smell of cigars, not the Progress. It won't be a custom; it won't be a good and devoted service. Neither Greek nor Latin at school, not the law, not churches, not anything else. Has anything ever been protected by anything at all?"
- Jadwiga Kubieniec
BRIEF INTERMISSION
Grażyna Bacewicz
Quintet for Winds (1932)
I. Allegro
II. Air. Andante
III. Allegretto
IV. Vivo
Michael Chesher, clarinet | Thomas Hunt, horn | Alyssa Gaines, flute | Timothy Shows, oboe | Jeff Copp, bassoon
NOTES:
Bacewicz’s compositional output can be divided into four periods: 1932-44, 1945-54, 1955-60, 1961-69. This award-winning quintet (1st prize at the Concours de la Societe “Aide aux femmes de professions libres” Paris 1933) falls into the first period, which is influenced by Bacewicz’s study with her teacher Kazimierz Sikorski (Warsaw) and Nadia Boulanger (Paris). Thus, it is a neo-classical composition characterized by clarity, and wit; and also by interesting bi-tonal melodic lines, and harmonic combinations. Flexible phrasing and metric displacement make it sound as if it were influenced by music of Poulenc. The first movement Allegro is composed in sonata form. The following two movements have folk elements imbedded in the music, and the last movement vivo incorporates Baroque restyling. This work requires solo and ensemble rhythmic precision. Looking from this perspective, the hardest movements to play together as an ensemble are movements III and IV. The sixteenth note lines near the end of the piece present a special difficulty. Played well it creates a brilliant ending.
- Marta Troicki
Mikolaj Piotr Górecki
“Burlesca” (1971)
Lento - piu mosso - energico - meno mosso - energico - poco piu mosso - meno mosso - Lento
Michael Chesher, clarinet | Thomas Hunt, horn | Alyssa Gaines, flute | Timothy Shows, oboe | Jeff Copp, bassoon | Mary Ellen Haupert, piano
NOTES:
This work is dedicated to Beata Bilińska and the Cracow Woodwind Quintet, commissioned by the Musica Mundana Foundation. The piece was premiered in March, 2018, at the chamber hall of the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra in Katowice. The work presents mysterious, sorrowful, expressive melodies with minimalistic elements. There can be heard the influence of Górecki’s teachers, especially his father, particularly with the regard to the melodic treatment, strong rhythmic pulse and rich harmony in climatic moments. The most difficult ensemble playing problems are present in the unison melodies played in duets. This is present in the beginning of the piece where the flute and piano are in unison, and through out the composition where different wind instrument pairs play.
- Marta Troicki
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
ARTIST BIOGRAPHIES
Michael Chesher taught Clarinet and Saxophone at Luther College in Decorah, IA since 1992 where he is now retired as Associate Professor of Music Emeritus. He held the Principal Clarinet position with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra from 1992 to 2020 and appeared as soloist with the orchestra on three separate occasions. Michael has performed in the past with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and Civic Orchestra of Chicago. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, M.M. from Northwestern University and the D.M. from Indiana University.
Pianist Mary Ellen Haupert is currently a Professor and Chair of Music at Viterbo University . She was awarded the Alec Chui Memorial Award in 2012 (for fostering student research) and Teacher of the Year in 2014. Mary Ellen is passionate about chamber music and is credited as founder/artistic director of the One-of-a-Kind Chamber Music Series (2008-2018), the Out-of-Our-Minds Chamber Music Series (2018-present), and the Bonfire Chamber Music Series (2018 – present) – a summer series sponsored by the Reif Center in Grand Rapids, MN. Mary Ellen has presented her theory pedagogy at national and international conferences, recorded two albums of chamber by Louise Farrenc on the CENTAUR label, and is a published composer. Recent compositions include "Variant for Piano Trio" (which was premiered by the Galan Piano Trio in November 2022) and "Breeze for Flute and Piano" (which was premiered by flutist Iva Ugrcic and pianist Satoko Hayami. Mary Ellen is most proud of the children that she and husband Mike have raised: Carolyn (and Brandon Drazich), Matt (and Elizabeth and baby Elle), Madeline (and Chaz Parker-Alofs), and Louise.
Dr. Thomas Allen Hunt’s French horn career spans many years in Germany, Austria, and the USA. He won full time orchestral positions in Innsbruck, Wiesbaden, and the prestigious Essen Philharmonic Orchestra, and performed with them for many years. As a freelance musician he has performed with the Camerata Academica Salzburg, Amati Ensemble Berlin, die Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Radio Symphony Orchestra Berlin, the West German Radio Orchestra Cologne, the Jacksonville Symphony, the Savannah Symphony, the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra, the Wisconsin Wind Symphony, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the La Crosse Wind Symphony. As a chamber music specialist he has performed the gamut of works for horn, from woodwind and brass quintet to works such as Schubert’s Auf dem Strom, part of tonight’s program. He has recorded many chamber works for the Austrian National Radio (ÖRF) and for the Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg. He has appeared as the featured soloist with the Orchester der Salzburger Sommerakademie, the University of Florida Orchestra, the Fort Dodge Symphony, and the Toledo Symphony. In 2019 Dr. Hunt retired as full professor from Ohio Northern University, where he had served for 11 years as department chair, wind orchestra director, and horn instructor. He then moved, with his wife Angelika, to La Crosse, where he is active as a private lessons teacher and free lance musician.
Flutist Alyssa Gaines is a teacher and performer based in Viroqua and La Crosse, Wisconsin. She is currently Adjunct Instructor at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and a Program Coordinator in the School of Music at the University of Arizona. She has previously served as Artist Faculty of Flute at Morningside University (IA). Alyssa was named a quarterfinalist in the 2023 National Flute Association’s Young Artist competition, won 1st place in the 2021 San Francisco Flute Society's Artist Competition, and has been a prizewinner in numerous other national competitions. Alyssa earned a Master of Music degree in flute performance at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music and dual Bachelor of Music degrees in flute performance and music industry from Middle Tennessee State University. In 2015, she earned a Performer's Certificate from Trevor Wye's 'The Flute Studio' in Kent, England, where she was one of six flutists from around the world selected to attend.
Bassoonist Jeffrey Copp is an Elementary School Principal at La Crescent-Hokah Public Schools. He is an alumnus of The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (B.S. Music Education 1999), and The University of Wisconsin-Madison (M.M. Bassoon Performance 2001). He received his Minnesota Board of School Administration Licensure in 2015 through Winona State University and just completed the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Principal's Academy (a two-year MBA program for school administrators - Spring of 2023). Jeff has performed with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, the La Crosse Wind Ensemble, and several Viterbo University and UW-La Crosse productions. When he's not at school, or music rehearsals, he enjoys spending time with his wife Jen, and two children: Eleanor (4), and Everett (2). For recreation, Jeff takes to the twisty roads during the summer months with a group of motorcycle enthusiasts from across the Midwest.
Timothy Shows is a versatile and accomplished oboist whose orchestral career features tenures as Principal Oboe with The Mankato Symphony (since 2010) and the United Nations Symphony Orchestra (2013). He currently performs as Second Oboe with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra. From 2012 to 2013, he also served as both Principal Oboe and Concerto Soloist with The Chelsea Symphony.
A prize-winning competitor, Timothy earned the Grand Prize at the 2007 Schubert Club Scholarship Competition and has had multiple other successes in the Schubert Club and Thursday Musical Competitions. His chamber music experience includes several performances of Mozart’s Oboe Quartet and the Arnold Bax Oboe Quintet with the renowned Artaria String Quartet. Timothy has performed in festivals across the country, including the Lucarelli Oboe Masterclass at Music Mountain and the Maine Chamber Music Seminar at Snow Pond. He has learned a great deal from his primary teachers, including Humbert Lucarelli, Basil Reeve, and Kathryn Greenbank. He is an alum of Inver Hills Community College and made his Carnegie Hall debut with the National High School Honor Band.
Michael Chesher taught Clarinet and Saxophone at Luther College in Decorah, IA since 1992 where he is now retired as Associate Professor of Music Emeritus. He held the Principal Clarinet position with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra from 1992 to 2020 and appeared as soloist with the orchestra on three separate occasions. Michael has performed in the past with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and Civic Orchestra of Chicago. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, M.M. from Northwestern University and the D.M. from Indiana University.
Pianist Mary Ellen Haupert is currently a Professor and Chair of Music at Viterbo University . She was awarded the Alec Chui Memorial Award in 2012 (for fostering student research) and Teacher of the Year in 2014. Mary Ellen is passionate about chamber music and is credited as founder/artistic director of the One-of-a-Kind Chamber Music Series (2008-2018), the Out-of-Our-Minds Chamber Music Series (2018-present), and the Bonfire Chamber Music Series (2018 – present) – a summer series sponsored by the Reif Center in Grand Rapids, MN. Mary Ellen has presented her theory pedagogy at national and international conferences, recorded two albums of chamber by Louise Farrenc on the CENTAUR label, and is a published composer. Recent compositions include "Variant for Piano Trio" (which was premiered by the Galan Piano Trio in November 2022) and "Breeze for Flute and Piano" (which was premiered by flutist Iva Ugrcic and pianist Satoko Hayami. Mary Ellen is most proud of the children that she and husband Mike have raised: Carolyn (and Brandon Drazich), Matt (and Elizabeth and baby Elle), Madeline (and Chaz Parker-Alofs), and Louise.
Dr. Thomas Allen Hunt’s French horn career spans many years in Germany, Austria, and the USA. He won full time orchestral positions in Innsbruck, Wiesbaden, and the prestigious Essen Philharmonic Orchestra, and performed with them for many years. As a freelance musician he has performed with the Camerata Academica Salzburg, Amati Ensemble Berlin, die Deutsche Oper Berlin, the Radio Symphony Orchestra Berlin, the West German Radio Orchestra Cologne, the Jacksonville Symphony, the Savannah Symphony, the Gainesville Chamber Orchestra, the Wisconsin Wind Symphony, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and the La Crosse Wind Symphony. As a chamber music specialist he has performed the gamut of works for horn, from woodwind and brass quintet to works such as Schubert’s Auf dem Strom, part of tonight’s program. He has recorded many chamber works for the Austrian National Radio (ÖRF) and for the Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg. He has appeared as the featured soloist with the Orchester der Salzburger Sommerakademie, the University of Florida Orchestra, the Fort Dodge Symphony, and the Toledo Symphony. In 2019 Dr. Hunt retired as full professor from Ohio Northern University, where he had served for 11 years as department chair, wind orchestra director, and horn instructor. He then moved, with his wife Angelika, to La Crosse, where he is active as a private lessons teacher and free lance musician.
Flutist Alyssa Gaines is a teacher and performer based in Viroqua and La Crosse, Wisconsin. She is currently Adjunct Instructor at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and a Program Coordinator in the School of Music at the University of Arizona. She has previously served as Artist Faculty of Flute at Morningside University (IA). Alyssa was named a quarterfinalist in the 2023 National Flute Association’s Young Artist competition, won 1st place in the 2021 San Francisco Flute Society's Artist Competition, and has been a prizewinner in numerous other national competitions. Alyssa earned a Master of Music degree in flute performance at Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music and dual Bachelor of Music degrees in flute performance and music industry from Middle Tennessee State University. In 2015, she earned a Performer's Certificate from Trevor Wye's 'The Flute Studio' in Kent, England, where she was one of six flutists from around the world selected to attend.
Bassoonist Jeffrey Copp is an Elementary School Principal at La Crescent-Hokah Public Schools. He is an alumnus of The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (B.S. Music Education 1999), and The University of Wisconsin-Madison (M.M. Bassoon Performance 2001). He received his Minnesota Board of School Administration Licensure in 2015 through Winona State University and just completed the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Principal's Academy (a two-year MBA program for school administrators - Spring of 2023). Jeff has performed with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra, the La Crosse Wind Ensemble, and several Viterbo University and UW-La Crosse productions. When he's not at school, or music rehearsals, he enjoys spending time with his wife Jen, and two children: Eleanor (4), and Everett (2). For recreation, Jeff takes to the twisty roads during the summer months with a group of motorcycle enthusiasts from across the Midwest.
Timothy Shows is a versatile and accomplished oboist whose orchestral career features tenures as Principal Oboe with The Mankato Symphony (since 2010) and the United Nations Symphony Orchestra (2013). He currently performs as Second Oboe with the La Crosse Symphony Orchestra. From 2012 to 2013, he also served as both Principal Oboe and Concerto Soloist with The Chelsea Symphony.
A prize-winning competitor, Timothy earned the Grand Prize at the 2007 Schubert Club Scholarship Competition and has had multiple other successes in the Schubert Club and Thursday Musical Competitions. His chamber music experience includes several performances of Mozart’s Oboe Quartet and the Arnold Bax Oboe Quintet with the renowned Artaria String Quartet. Timothy has performed in festivals across the country, including the Lucarelli Oboe Masterclass at Music Mountain and the Maine Chamber Music Seminar at Snow Pond. He has learned a great deal from his primary teachers, including Humbert Lucarelli, Basil Reeve, and Kathryn Greenbank. He is an alum of Inver Hills Community College and made his Carnegie Hall debut with the National High School Honor Band.
