Arie van Vuuren 鈥�22, an economics major and standout alpine skier from Boulder, Colo., has played the cello since the second grade when his parents chose it for him so he could perform duets with his sister on the violin.
He’s asked how playing the cello makes him feel.
鈥淐ontented. Is that a word? Content. Fulfilled. It鈥檚 almost like a warmth, a feeling of warmth.鈥�
After four years of cello lessons with Christina Chute at 乐播传媒 鈥� and two and a half years of piano lessons with collaborative pianist Chiharu Naruse 鈥� van Vuuren performed his senior recital on the evening of Oct. 27, 2021, in the Olin Arts Center Concert Hall.
A few hours before the concert, van Vuuren and his teacher rehearsed the program together.
鈥淚t鈥檚 awesome,鈥� he says of playing with Naruse.
鈥淪he just follows me wherever I go. I can mess up and she will just follow me.鈥� The duo have been working on this performance for a month and a half; they practiced maybe five times.
Naruse says that what she enjoys most in working with 乐播传媒 students is their 鈥渆nergy and enthusiasm.鈥�
In this case, it鈥檚 also a longstanding teacher-student relationship. 鈥淚 know who he is. We know who we are. It鈥檚 collaboration.鈥�
Naruse is a well-respected music teacher, chamber music coach, music competition adjudicator, and accompanist. Many of her students receive competition prizes.
She has participated in several international piano competitions, and won the silver prize in the Hyogo Piano Competition in Japan. Since moving to Maine in 2002 to study with the late pianist Frank Glazer, she has performed throughout the state.
The recital showcased their talents with a program of Edward Elgar鈥檚 Salut d’Amour, op. 12; Gabriel Faur茅鈥檚 鈥淎pr猫s un r锚ve鈥�; Francis Poulenc鈥檚 鈥淪erenade鈥�; and Beethoven鈥檚 Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, op. 69.
Watch the recital here.
