Music instructor performs in faculty recital

Brooks Hafey, assistant professor of music, held the fourth concert in the series of Claude Debussy-themed piano concerts Sunday at the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center’s Chicoine Atrium.

Hafey opened the recital with a melodious piece, “Valse romantique,” which gave a pleasant feeling for audiences on a sunny Sunday.

He continued the flow with a nostalgic piece, “La plus que lente,” which means “slower than slow.”

“This piece takes me back to my grandma’s living room,” Hafey said.

The first two pieces gave a heartwarming opening to the concert, commemorating the centenary of Claude Debussy’s death.

He also honored Debussy with “Estampes,” consisting of three movements: “Pagodes,” “La soiree dans Grenade” and “Jardins sours la pluie,” which evoked the image from East Asia in “Pagodes” to the sound of raindrops in “Jardins sous la pluie.”

Hafey kept dazzling his audience with “The Prelude, Book II,” consisting of ten movements with dynamic rhythm. According to Hafey, the music “will challenge you to the best possibilities.”

To close the concert, Hafey played movement “Fireworks,” which is an energetic and physical piece and very challenging, according to him.

“So you play the whole concert and you’ve got to play the most difficult music at the very end,” Hafey said.

The next concert of the Debussy recitals will be at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 19, at the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center’s Chicoine Atrium.

This recital will feature performances by Hafey and guest artists Ting-Lan Chen, playing violin, and Noah Turner Rogoff, playing cello.