Weigel Auditorium will host the third annual percussion recital tonight, showcasing Susan Powell, director of percussion studies for the School of Music, and her husband Joseph Krygier, percussion accompanist in the Department of Dance.
Employed by Ohio State since 2000, the couple have used the show to highlight their wide range of talent and influences. The couple is hoping to release a recently-completed album this fall.
“We have a contemporary classical sound, though because it is all percussion, it’s kind of avant-garde,” Krygier said.
The show will start out with a piece entitled “Sarcophagus,” composed by William Dietz. Using traditional percussion instruments, Dietz also incorporates the use of original sound-makers such as automobile brake drums, coffee cans and other assorted items to enhance the diversity of the piece.
The second piece, “Toccata,” is a vibraphone-marimba duet which presents the main theme, follows with a tango, slows to a waltz, then rises again to match the original power of the main theme.
The couple takes an urban turn with their next selection, “42nd Street Rondo.” The idea for the song came from the street musicians of 42nd Street and Broadway in Manhattan, who use such instruments as plastic buckets, a gas can, various coffee cans, tin cans and clay pots.
Another song features two marimbas, followed by the piece that Krygier wrote, which incorporates a good deal of hand drums.
“This song pays homage to two master hand drummers, Glen Velez and John Bergamo. These gentlemen’s performances, as well as their compositions, have been tremendous influences in my study of world percussion,” Krygier said.
“Cryin’ Time” is a chamber piece featuring Sara Pardo, a junior at OSU.
“I’ve never worked with her before, but she is incredible,” Powell said.
To close the show, the couple chose a big drum-set piece in which each plays a matching drum set.
“It’s kind of rock ‘n’ roll, with its writing making it very unique,” Krygier said.
The two met while attending the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. Upon graduation Krygier spent four years as a member of the United States Air Force Band of the Rockies in Colorado Springs, Colo. That experience allowed him to play with a concert band, a brass quintet, a percussion ensemble and a rock band.
Both husband and wife earned master’s degrees from Northwestern University and have performed across the country and overseas.
Krygier is a freelance musician-educator in the Columbus area and performs regularly with the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra. He also works as a staff musician at BalletMet.
Powell is a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Northwestern University. In addition to performing, she is also an active composer of percussion music and has works published by Innovative Percussion.
Krygier and Powell will perform at 8 p.m. tonight in the Weigel Auditorium.
