Augustana faculty trio, “Tikkun,” performed yet again at a Faculty Recital in Wallenberg Hall on September 29th at 8 pm. Consisting of 3 members: violist Deborah Dakin, pianist Robert Elfline, and cellist Janina Ehrlich, the name of the ensemble derives from the Hebrew language meaning, “To heal the world.”

Formed in 2010, the trio first played together when the three performed Johannes Brahms’s Trio op.114. Because the group replaced the clarinet with a viola in the piece written for clarinet, cello, and piano, the group is considered  a fairly unusual combination, making it difficult to find music.

The first piece performed by the trio on September 29,was the world premiere of “Trio Tikkun” composed by Paul Paccione, an accomplished professor at Western Illinois University and a friend of the group. “Trio Tikkun” is both commissioned by and dedicated to the group.

Paccione also presented at the performance, speaking about his new piece. As the piece proved to be more challenging than expected, and because of it’s sparse style, the group asked Daniel Culver to conduct the piece.

Violist Deborah Dakin, described the piece providing a “different aesthetic and rhythmically intricate.” “Trio Tikkun” showcases three movements: Clangor, Lament, and Cat and Mouse. The first and third being more sparely filled and technical, and the second displaying more lyrical qualities.

After the group performed the new piece, “Tikkun” they opted for Brahms op.114, the piece that originally brought the group together. The group usually fills their recitals with duos or solo pieces in the second half of their performance, but the group wanted to bring the piece back for sentimental reasons, and have found that they have to relearn the piece in a different way.

Dakin described the set as both, “pieces of their time,” providing a contrast between 19th and 21st century composers and music. While Paccione’s new piece is sparsely filled and contemporary, Brahms’s is more traditional and full. The two are certain to provide a dynamic experience.

There are many reasons the music faculty of Augustana performs in these recitals intermittently throughout the term. These are not required, however, they are strongly encouraged in most cases.

First, it helps the students hear new repertoire and models higher level performing. Second, it assists the faculty in maintaining a performing mind set, because they spend a majority of their time teaching, some of the finer aspects of performing that they may of previously known begin to slip away if they aren’t practiced.

The faculty recitals serve in providing that continual performance experience in a fashion that is compatible with the faculty’s limited time. These programs truly disprove the phrase, “Those who can’t do, teach.”