On Thursday, October 6th, in the music room at de Toledo, students attended a brief yet beautiful classical music concert. The concert featured the piece Rachmaninoff concierto No.2 played by Hannah T. (‘29) on violin and Aidan R. (‘28) on piano. Mr. Jared Stein, music teacher, contributed a song on the violin as well, often encouraging people to sing along. 

With the season changing and the school year in full swing, it is a privilege to take a moment to exist in the beauty that is classical music. 

This year, de Toledo asks students whether identity is something we’re born with, or something formed. Stein calls back to this question, making students question music and its part in who they are. Stein said, “You being here has something to do with your identity.”

He went on to advise the audience to listen carefully to the movement of the music, while remaining conscious of the fall season. “As we get into darker times of the year, have music be a light in our lives,” he urged.

As Hannah and Aidan began to play, a harmony formed. Aidan explained the significance of the song in the “loudness of the violin and energy of the piano.” 

As the song went on, the violin and piano struggled to take center stage, creating a dual effect for the audience. Tirsch explained, “The depth of piano and the rawness of violin create two separate voices that gradually intertwine into one big ending.”

Stein encouraged people to sing along as he played his violin, in order to further immerse the audience into the music, and become a part of it. He repeated chords and asked the audience to harmonize with it, and a chorus of energetic voices answered. “Play that chord again!” was Stein’s favorite line that day.

At the end of every song, players repeated chords, and the audience began to understand the music more intensely. Although the atmosphere in the room was playful, everyone singing and laughing together, the music was mournful and soft. 

The de Toledo community created a space for people to appreciate classical music in a way they may not have before, and this experience will stick with them this fall season. Stein told the audience, “There’s a reason you’re here.” 

As the concert concluded, the attendees came a bit closer with their identities and what brought them to the show.