In a free concert, former 51²è¹Ý Symphony Orchestra principal oboist J. Scott Janusch and musicians from Chamber Music 51²è¹Ý will present composer Jon Magnussen¡¯s Suite from “Nā Kau ʻElua | The Two Seasons” on November 4 at 6:30 p.m., at the Performing Arts Center.
In a post-concert talk story, Janusch and event organizers will share the story of how the wood for the oboe came from a kauila (alphitonia ponderosa) tree native to Kōkeʻe, Kauaʻi, that was damaged by Hurricane Iniki in 1992 and reclaimed by the late Ed Kaʻiwi of Anahola. Through generous gifts, the wood eventually made its way to world renowned oboe maker .
Janusch said the free community concert is to share orchestra music with the community, but also to raise awareness about the uniqueness and the beauty of the environment from which the wood comes.
“Kauila is an ancient resource that was very important to Hawaiian culture,” he said. “This wood was a very important resource in the ancient Hawaiian culture and the few remaining trees still standing today in the old growth forests need to be protected; they stand as a majestic part of ±á²¹·É²¹¾±ʻ¾±¡¯²õ history.”
The concert is presented by Kauaʻi CC in collaboration with Live Music Awareness, the 51²è¹Ý West Oʻahu Music Fund, Chamber Music 51²è¹Ý, and the 51²è¹Ý ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ instrument collection.
Magnussen, a professor at , said the oboe concerto was inspired by the many ways the people of old 51²è¹Ý (poʻe kahiko) made use of the once common, but now rare and precious Kauila wood. He is grateful for the partnership between the 51²è¹Ý campuses.
“We are all connected in our university system, and we are most powerful when our knowledge and experiences are shared generously across our system,” Magnussen said.
Related 51²è¹Ý News stories
- Oboe made of rare 51²è¹Ý wood added to 51²è¹Ý music department collection, February 6, 2023
- Unique instrument of rare 51²è¹Ý wood debuts at concert, April 18, 2019