Music and Dance Reviews : Maria Casale Gives Harp Recital at USC

Sometimes it’s easy to take for granted an outstanding performance when confidence and control are second nature to a musician. Yet when harpist Maria Casale breezed through her recital Sunday evening in Hancock Auditorium at USC, few in the audience--many harpists themselves--doubted that they were hearing anything less than musicianship of the highest quality.

Sponsored by the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Harp Society, the event consisted of a collection of showy pieces of moderate length, most from the Romantic era. In each, the Juilliard-trained virtuoso demonstrated her comprehensive technique and commanding, vigorous style.

Although none of the technically challenging works could be considered a major undertaking, the Sonata in G by C.P.E. Bach proved especially provocative. The Classical style presented few problems for Casale, who shaped each phrase expertly, stressing simplicity.

An Impromptu by Albert Roussel in a quirky, early 20th-Century style gave Casale a different type of challenge, which she met authoritatively. A multifarious fabric of dissonances and complex textures also made Bernard Andres’ impressionist “Absidioles” pleasing.

Transcriptions of music by Respighi, Albeniz and Falla by Casale’s teacher Susann McDonald and eminent harpist Marcel Grandjany similarly tested her prevailing virtuosity.