Portraits, a rich and colorful mixture of painting, poetry, music, and literature will unfold in Milliken Auditorium on the campus of Northwestern Michigan College on March 1 at 8:00 p.m.
Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings, The Potato Eaters, La Bercueuse, The Zuave, and Self Portrait of the Artist were the inspiration for a dramatic work composed by Aldo Rafael Forte in 1996 for the Heritage Air Force Band of America. The work is entitled Portraits. The four paintings will be projected during the NMC Concert Band’s performance of the suite.
A virtual tour of the great French museum, the Louvre, will be accompanied by a descriptive piece by Norman Dello Joio entitled, “Scenes from the Louvre.” Originally the Dello Joio piece was the sound track for a 1950’s prize winning television special. It depicts several characteristic galleries as experienced by the viewer.
Dylan Thomas’ well known poem, “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” inspired composer Elliot Del Borgo to compose a musical companion piece bearing the same title. It reflects the struggles, doubts, and eventually the peace experienced by the subject in the poem.
“Elegy for A Young American” was composed by Ronald Lo Presti shortly after the death of President John F. Kennedy. Following the traditional three part poetic form of the elegy. It guides the listener through a lament for the departed, praise and adoration for the idealized life and deeds, and consolation and solace. Texts from John Kennedy’s speeches and writtne work will accmpany the presentation.
An architectural drawing by Viktor Hartmann provided Modest Mussorgsky a somewhat tangible musical model for “The Great Gate of Kiev,” the finale of the NMC concert. Mussorgsky’s larger work, from which the “Great Gate” is taken, was later orchestrated by Maurice Ravel and given its American debut by the Boston Symphony in 1919. It is the Ravel version which has made the piece a classic.
Mr. David Parrish, well known musician and Humanities Teacher in the Traverse City Area Public Schools, will assist the NMC Concert Band in this multi media presentation. Mr. Parrish’s multi media presentations at NMC’s Life Academy programs are very popular.
Tickets are available at (231) 995-1553 or at the door.
$10.00 adults, $5.00 seniors and children, NMC students free with ID