ABOUT THE ARTIST
Hailey Strzelec, flute
Hailey Strzelec is a senior music education major at the Wells School of Music. Music has always been a significant part of Hailey’s life. At West Chester, Hailey has served as Principal Flute for the WCU Wind Ensemble for 2 years, as well as playing piccolo with the Wind Ensemble and the Wind Symphony. Hailey is also a brother of Kappa Kappa Psi, a national honorary band service fraternity focused on supporting our college band program. The most significant memory of her undergraduate experience was being an active member of the Golden Rams Marching Band. Throughout her four years, Hailey served as a Music Section Leader, Field Assistant, and Drum Major. Hailey has participated in numerous competitions throughout her undergraduate studies, earning many scholarships and performance opportunities. Most notably, Hailey recently earned the opportunity to conduct the WCU Wind Ensemble in concert.
SONATAINEMAJOR(1741)
Bach’s Sonata in E Major is a classic summation of Bach's music and Baroque style. This Sonata is the last of three works Bach wrote for flute and Basso Continuo. The opening Allegro ma non tanto is the shortest movement. Its ornamentation and melodic flow act as a prelude for the music to come. The second movement, Allegro, is light and bouncy, a joyful display of technicality and spirit. The third movement, Siciliano, introduces the relative minor. Paired with its 6/8 meter, this movement is a moment of mystery and exploration amid a very active and flourishing Sonata. The final movement, Allegro Assai, means “very fast”. It is filled with sparkling trills and effervescent passagework, ending the work with a dazzling and exciting finish.
SONATAAPPASSIONATA (1917)
Written for unaccompanied flute, Karg-Elert’s Sonata in F-sharp Minor draws influence from the music of Schoenberg and Debussy. Karg-Elert was in a military band during World War 1 when he wrote this work and many of his others. This work was significant in its time because of what it demanded of the instrumentalist and the period instruments. For the flautist, its expansive chromaticism and fervent display of emotions offer unique challenges. Its character and complexity made it stand out as one of the first unaccompanied German piece for flute alone in the 20th century.
SONATAFORFLUTEANDPIANO(1927)
Written for a friend of Schulhoff, this gorgeous Sonata was premiered in Paris in April of 1927. Comprised of four movements, this work is dynamic and enticing. It perfectly blends modernist influences with traditional folk and dance musical styles. Schulhoff himself thought the work to be frivolous, calling it ‘kitsch’. More contemporary critics agreed but couldn’t help but acknowledge its overall ingratiating character. The first movement, Allegro Moderato, explores impressionistic and jazz-like influences. The Scherzo is a relentless allegro full of aggressive articulations and exciting technical passages. The third movement is a haunting Aria featuring a searching flute melody amid the piano's steady progression. The final movement, Rondo, is a thrilling display of technical work and style, bringing the work to a playful and celebratory close.
ELEPHANTUNDMÜCKE(1893)
Henri Kling’s ‘The Elephant and the Fly’ is a comedic work for piccolo, tuba, and piano. It is a humorous interlude that embraces the style of each instrument. An unrelenting tuba melody (the elephant) amid excitable piccolo flourishes (the fly), this work is a joy to perform and experience.