Music enthusiasts of all ages gathered in Barnes Hall last Thursday for a performance by Ensemble Companile, the flute and string quartet based in Germany.
The group’s trip to Cornell was sponsored by the Cornell Council for the Arts, and its three events at the University will be its only performances during a visit to the United States. The ensemble played three arrangements well-known in the 18th century at the concert, one of which, an anonymous arrangement of a piece by Joseph Haydn, was recorded for their CD recently released in September.
“We try to make it our mission to introduce to people music that was popular during the 18th century but isn’t anymore,” said group member Thomas Irvine, referring to the group’s selection of a piece by Anton Reicha, a relatively unknown composer.
Having been together for five years, the group meets three to four times a year to practice and perform.
A founding member of Ensemble Companile, Irvine has pursued a career as a professional performer of the viola and is currently earning his Ph.D in musicology at Cornell.
Ildik