There are going to be more than just footnotes filling the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum this Saturday afternoon.
After years of working behind the scenes to assist in creating Juneau’s Con Brio Chamber Series’ most lively group performances, the group’s artistic director Sally Schlichting is preparing to perform her first solo flute recital in nearly a decade — a challenge she is eager to take on.
“It’s been probably over nine years since I’ve done a solo recital, and I just felt like it was time to do another one,” she said. “I enjoy the challenge and wanted to offer a program more on the conventional side.”
Sally Schlichting, on flute, and Sue Kazama, on piano, practice at the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum Atrium Monday afternoon in preparation for Schlichting’s upcoming solo concert Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
On Saturday at the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum Atrium, Schlichting will be performing an hour-long recital of flute music written by famous classical composers Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Giuseppe Verdi along with featuring pieces with contrasting aesthetics by Japanese composer Tōru Takemitsu.
Her performance is set to be a drastic departure from Con Brio’s most recent performances which explored more unconventional ways to express meaning via music such as its November performance “Climate Soundscapes” which attempted to interpret climate change through song.
Schlichting said the performance Saturday is really about celebrating classical music and the different types of beauty that can be found in each of the composer’s music and styles set to be featured.
Though the music will largely feature the flute, Schlichting will be joined by pianist Sue Kazama for several pieces, along with also being playing with violinist Elena Levi, violist Meg Rosson and cellist Ben Holtz to perform Mozart’s Flute Quartet in D major.
“It’s just a really fun, bright, very sunny quartet — the audience is going to love it,” Schlichting said.
Schlichting said she is excited for residents to finally hear the recitals, which she said she’s been thinking about doing since last March and has been practicing the pieces since May.
“Just prepare to hear some beautiful music,” she said. “I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to hear classical chamber music and it’s a really wonderful chance to hear not just myself but also Sue Kazama, who is a tremendously well-known pianist in town and hear newer musicians like Elena Levi, Elena Levi and Ben Holtz who have all just moved to Juneau in recent years.”
Kazama agreed, and said the music Schlichting chose will make the performance “a crowd-pleasing type of concert.”
“I love them,” she said. “Bach is really fun to play and I’ve never done a flute sonata before so this is a really beautiful one.”
Kazama said the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museum Atrium is a great place for a concert because of its central location in town and easy accessibility for parking. She said this concert is her first “real recital” she’s performed since the end of 2019 and is excited to share music again with a live audience.
The concert is a pay-as-you-can event and Schlichting said she encourages residents to come and experience the special performance.
“These concerts don’t just happen every day so I think it’s a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon,” she said.
Know & Go
What: Con Brio Chamber Series: Music For Flute -Sally Schlichting in Recital
Where: The Atrium at the Alaska State Libraries Archives and Museums, 395 Whittier St.
When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11.
Admission: Pay-as-you-can
• Contact reporter Clarise Larson at clarise.larson@juneauempire.com or (651)-528-1807. Follow her on Twitter at @clariselarson.
