Season 2: Episode 5 - Musical Traditions
The musical talents of a brother and sister team of violinists are showcased when the Switala Duo from Grapevine, Texas performs Passacaglia (after Handel) on this episode of From the Top at Carnegie Hall. Double bassist Kiyoe Wellington is fifteen-years old and hails from Kaneohe, Hawaii. She comes from a family of bassists, and in honor of the musical tradition in her family, plays François Rrabbath’s “Reitba” on her grandfather’s bass accompanied by Host Christopher O’Riley. Eighteen-year old Patricio Molina, the third and final performer on this episode, is a musical star in his native Chile, but moved to New York City to study piano at the Manhattan School of Music. Patricio performs Petern Mennin’s Toccata to conclude the episode.
Performer Bios
Kiyoe Wellington
Kiyoe Wellington (double bass), 15, hails from Kaneohe, Hawaii where she is a sophomore at the Hawaii School for Girls in Honolulu.
The Switala Duo
The Switala Duo consists of brother and sister team Alexandra (violin), 14, and Robert (violin), 15 from Grapevine, Texas.
Patricio Molina
Patricio Molina (piano), 18, is a senior at Passaic Valley High School in West Paterson, New Jersey.
Educational Resources
Episode 5: Innovation through Experimentation
Students will learn how composer François Rabbath developed innovative ways to play the double bass as a result of not having any formal training, and they will invent their own creative learning processes.
