CSU welcomes Vazquez as guest flutist
By Jasmine Johns, Contributing Writer
Monday, October 17, 2005
Flutist Rodolfo Vazquez entertained students and faculty in a recital in Robeson Auditorium Sept. 27. Central State music professor Dr. Mary Fahrenbruck joined Vazquez in the performance.
“The space here was not too dry or overly lively and the audience was very attentive,“ Vazquez said afterwards.
Vazquez and Fahrenbruck played a number of pieces written by eighteenth century composers such as Mozart and Debussy. They also played one contemporary piece.
Rodolfo Vaquez first dreamed of becoming a musician after listening to a band as a teenager. Starting at age 14 in Mexico, he began studying the flute. He decided to pursue a career in music because it paid well and allowed him to take care of his family. “I decided to go to college so I could be good playing the flute,” Vazquez said. “While I was there I played in an orchestra to help support my family.”
Over the years, Vazquez has worked with many orchestras and smaller ensembles. He has performed with a number of famous musicians including Irishman James Galway, perhaps the most famous flutist in the world. Both men are married to women who play the flute. Galway later complimented Vazquez writing “Your music is charming and beautifully played. I don‘t think you can improve on a standard like this.“
Vazquez practices two hours a day on a flute made in Japan. Like most high-quality flutes, it was hand made with open holes. The top of the instrument is made of gold and the buttons are silver. “It is the best flute I ever had,“ Vazquez said.
Mary Fahrenbruck is from Tiffin Ohio. She has a masters degree in piano performance from the University of Michigan and a doctoral degree in piano performance from The Ohio State University. Fahrenbruck started playing the piano when she was in the first grade - encouraged by her mother, an organist. Fahrenbruck’s older sister also plays and teaches piano.
Fahrenbruck met Vazquez four to five years ago through the Ohio Arts Presenters Network. “Our personalities were in sync,” Fahrenbruck said. “He needed someone to play with him, so he occasionally called.”
Fahrenbruck plans to schedule more recitals in the future. “I feel music uplifts people. I think art and music is good for people’s spirits and it is a great emotional release,” Fahrenbruck said. “I have these recitals to expose music majors to different kinds of music and to show them how professional classical musicians act on stage.”
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