ABOUT THE ARTIST Christina Wiest, Music Education
Christina Wiest is a senior Music Education major at West Chester University. Her passion has developed since she was immersed in music as a young child, attending toddler music classes and watching countless Little Einstein episodes (thanks mom!). At age 5 she started playing the violin, continuing throughout her childhood. As a sassy determined child, she decided this would be her career path and never looked back. Under the instruction of Elizabeth Carlson, Christina participated in Region III All South Jersey Orchestra and was concert master of the Cherry Hill High School West Orchestra for several years. At West Chester University, Christina has participated in a variety of musical experiences. She marched flute in the 2024 Rose Bowl Parade with the Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band and is a fourth-year member of the WCU Symphonic Orchestra. Through Professor Carlos Rubio and the violin studio, she has participated in masterclasses taught by Diane Monroe and J Freivogel. This year, she began performing with her quartet and joined the steel pan ensemble. Christina loves finding ways to incorporate violin into her favorite genres: rock, indie, folk, pop, and musical theater. Outside music, she enjoys hiking, gardening, baking, and crafts. Currently, Christina is a teacher for West Chester Music Academy, Greensleeves Music, and local private students. Through the WCMA, she now teaches a toddler music class, Music FunTime. After graduating this Spring, Christina plans to begin her instrumental teaching career locally.
PROGRAM NOTES VIOLIN CONCERTO NO.1 IN C MAJOR (1765) This Concerto was composed by Haydn in the 1760s while he was part of the Esterházy court. Written initially for his concertmaster Italian violinist Luigi Tomasini, he wanted to show off his advanced technique and skills to the world. The first movement is very energetic and has a lively tone with moving rhythms, then proceeds to go into a minor key, where it switches to a dark and dramatic tone before going back to the main theme. The second movement provides a major contrast; It has a calm, beautiful beauty that makes one want to reflect. The solo violin plays a lengthy, delicate, expressive line at the start. In this movement, the violin phrasing is more flexible, enabling the performer to add delicacy and emotional depth to the piece. I chose the first two movements for my recital as I was originally introduced to the piece in high school as part of auditions for my regional orchestra. Having only done an excerpt of the first movement, I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to completely dive into it in college with a more mature and experienced perspective.
VIOLIN SONATA NO. 5 (1801) This piece was originally composed by Ludwig von Beethoven around 1800-1801. It is an expansive sonataform movement featuring a long, flowing pastoral first theme on the violin, answered by dramatic dynamics and close dialogue with the piano. This piece has gained the unofficial title “The Spring Sonata” due to the bright, cheerful, and pastoral warmth that the piece captures. I was eager to include the first movement of the sonata into the recital as I personally resonated with the bright and open sound of the piece to open my recital.
FOR GOOD - WICKED (2003) For Good was written by American musical theatre composer and lyricist Stephen Schwartz as part of the hit Broadway musical, Wicked. The song is the thematic climax of the entire show, celebrating connection and the idea that people enter our lives for a reason, "like a handprint on the heart." I’ve known for a long time now that I wanted this piece to close out my recital as I feel it embodies my current stage of life. As I prepare to graduate and move onto the next chapter of my life, much like Glinda and Elphaba, I would like to dedicate this piece to everyone involved in my musical journey as I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Christina would like to express her gratitude and appreciation to her family and friends for always supporting her musical journey. Additionally, she would like to thank all of her past teachers and professors, especially Professor Carlos Rubio.