The recent faculty recital, Diary of Love Songs, featured Kelley Hijleh, voice, Sharon Johnson, piano, and Steven Thomas, violin. Martha Thomas, wife of Thomas, the violist, said that the recital was “a musical energy that has been birthed by love,” and according to Professor Kelly Hijleh- she has got it spot on.
Hijleh is the lead vocalist of Diary of Love Songs, and has been part of the Houghton faculty for 21 years. She said her hope for the recital was that to unite the campus through music. Hijleh said that this recital was more personal to her than previous recitals because it is, in effect, a story of her own relationship with her husband of 23 years. The recital featured two pieces written by her husband, Mark Hijleh. One, More Precious than Rubies, was first played at the couple’s wedding, and will be played once more, this time by Hannah Hijleh, the couple’s daughter. “Romantic love is a great gift from God” Hijleh said, “and I have attempted to share my life story.”
A member of the music faculty for 10 years, Johnson explained that this recital encompasses her relationships with dear friend Kelley Hijleh and her students. She said the recital was a special bond she was able to share with Kelley, and said the experience was one that enriched their friendship. Johnson also said that recitals help her to better communicate with her students by helping her to bridge the gap between musician and teacher. “I am not just a teacher but also a learner and that creates a holistic environment for students,” she said, “and that can be seen clearly when I perform on stage.”
“Music is very present in our life and in worship,” Thomas said, “ and when we worship we are closest to God.” Thomas said that the recital was a very exciting event for him and a strong expression of his own spirituality as he said, “I am most intimate with God when I play music.”
The recital was unanimously described to be “all about love.” A theme that is reflected both in the repertoire and the participant’s back stories. To begin, Hijleh and Johnson performed four Italian love songs from the 17th and 18th centuries. The first two selections highlight the beloved, while the third, a decidedly darker melody, “depicts love that is faithful in the face of faithlessness” according to Hijleh’s program note, and finally the fourth piece reflects the “fiery passion” that is “often depicted in love songs. Hijleh brought life to the lyrics with dramatic expression and a passionate delivery of the melody. Following the Italian selections, is another series of four pieces by Johannes Brahms. The themes of passion, fire, and love are present throughout, and Hijleh’s performance mirrored these well. Also on the program was Hijleh’s performance of an aria from the French opera, Louise, entitled “Depuis le jour.” It was an “exuberant” piece that Hijleh said “[captured] for [her] better than anything the feeling of being in love.