Heller Recital: Two Strings, Four Hands and Eyeglasses Obligato

Many of you know Julia Heller as one of our friendly and knowledgeable reference librarians, but did you know she’s also (among other talents) an accomplished cellist? It’s true.

Julia has been making music since she was a tyke of four or five years old. The impetus to do so runs strong on both sides of her family. Julia’s mother, Patty Heller, is a professional violist who performs with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. Her late father, Duane Heller, was a multi-faceted musician, pianist, composer and more.

 With a little encouragement from her mother, making music became a lifelong pleasure for Julia. “We don’t practice,” she said. “We just like to play.”  And to our delight, the two of them proved that to an enthusiastic audience in the Whitesboro library yesterday afternoon.

Patty and Julia - Photo credit: CJ Alexander

Their quickly arranged recital included both classical and folk selections (listed below), interspersed with amusing family anecdotes and interesting tidbits about the “basically magical quality” of stringed instruments. As part of a tribute to the late Mr. Heller, mother and daughter commissioned a viola and cello ( shown in the photo to your right) both fashioned from the wood of the same tree. It was with these beautiful and personally meaningful instruments that they entertained us.  

Referring to last weekend’s local flooding, Julia noted that one of their selections reminded her of the “reaffirmation of life and community and awareness” as people came together to help one another clean up the considerable mess. Patty gave a shout out to the owners of the recently flooded Big Apple Music, who graciously loaned her a violin to use during her stay here.

If you weren’t aware of the event and would have liked to attend, we have included links to videos of two of their pieces. Enjoy them as often as you like, and feel free to leave your compliments in the comment section below.

            Julia and Patty: Thank you. May you forever play together in harmony.

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PROGRAM:

Ludwig van Beethoven, "Duet mit zwei obligatten Augengläsern" (Duet with two eyeglasses obligato)

Molly Mason, "Call of the West"

Otis Tomas, "One More Step"

Johann Sebastian Bach, "Prelude" from the G Major suite (VIDEO) - (music begins 3       minutes in.)

traditional, "Far Away"

traditional, "The Falls of Rogie" set 

Scotland Bonnie, "Farewell"  (VIDEO)

traditional "Mairi's Wedding" set

Otto Siegl, "Duo Sonate for viola and violoncello"

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, "Sonata in C Major"  (See moments from the video, below!)