An MIT Alumni Association Publication

Performing Mendelssohn during a Power Blackout

  • Nancy DuVergne Smith
  • slice.mit.edu

Filed Under

Guest Blogger: Emily Hiestand, School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Communications Director

Power went out in Cambridge in the early evening of November 29 plunging many parts of the city into darkness, including the MIT and Harvard campuses. MIT has backup power for critical facilities, of course, but most areas on campus, including performance spaces, went dark.

The MIT Chamber Music Society, scheduled to perform a concert for which they had prepared for weeks, was undaunted. I especially like the cello player's bike helmet headlamp! Watch the video as they set up in the dark, adjust their lights, and perform.

Student cellist dons miner's light to play during a temporary power loss in the MIT area.
Student cellist dons a bike helmet headlamp to play during a temporary power loss in the MIT area.

MIT Chamber Music Society | Nov 29, 2012

Performing Felix Mendelssohn's Piano String Trio No. 2 in C Minor, Opus 66, during a major city power outage; MIT student musicians Eleanor Bors cello, Justin Stilwell violin, and Ryan Liu piano; David Deveau, Senior Lecturer, MIT Music, coach.

Here's another gem from MIT Chamber Music Society: Beethoven's Andante from Wind Octet in Eb major, Op. 103 (1793)

Filed Under