The Inaugural Weekend continued through Sunday, Oct. 23, where a Faculty Voice Recital performed at Longwood's Molnar Recital Hall. This concert featured composer and pianist Evan Mack who has toured the United States, Barcelona and South Africa with his music. Mack is the composer of five musicals, one of which entitled "Angel of the Amazon," which premiered at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York City. Sunday's performance included several pieces from the particular musical as well as verses from Langston Hughes' "Dream of Freedom." Mack performed at Longwood last year as well, this time teaming up with Dr. Jennifer Capaldo, assistant professor of music, who sang mezzo-soprano.
The concert included 5 short pieces that were performed by Mack, solo, on the piano. He compiled these pieces for some advanced students he had when teaching, so that certain aspects of the piece would help perfect some skills they had struggled with, such as the twelve-tone system. The first piece was "Dare to Dream." One of the more upbeat pieces, called "Rush Hour," imitated its name with quick notes that evoked a sense of urgency. Mack's love for piano and passion was seen as he tamed each note.
The following set had various poems by Langston Hughes incorporated into a vocal performance, which was very interesting to hear poetry evolve into music. Originally, the selection was from a choir suite that used 8 Hughes poems. Mack then used 5 of these 8, converting the initial choral verses into a solo. "When writing or setting music to Langston Hughes, what was so compelling is that his poetry, although simple at times, or simple in a good way, is open to any type of musical style," said Mack, previewing the piece. The selections from Langston Hughes' "Dream of Freedom" incorporated blues, jazz and gospel sounds. Dr. Capaldo provided the vocals for this portion of the concert. The combination of Mack and Dr. Capaldo was tremendous, both excelling in their fields of expertise. Dr. Capaldo with very strong vocals carried each piece eloquently. The second song from the set, "Feet O'Jesus," had a gospel feel to it, one of the many styles of music infused in the collection.
One of the most interesting and unique parts of the concert was during the series of what Mack likes to call "POPludes." Mack took a creative approach to playing your average piano. With advanced warning to the audience that no pianos would be hurt in the making of the music, Mack explained his unconventional "extended piano techniques." With one foot keeping a stomping beat, one fist that would pound the top of the piano and the other plucking and strumming the strings of the piano, the preludes began. Many in the audience watched with pure amazement and curiosity, wondering what Mack would do next as he stretched and reached, using literally every aspect of the piano as a whole. He used various parts of popular songs in music today to complete each prelude.
Finally, the last portion of the concert included 3 songs from the musical "Angel of the Amazon," which is based off a true story. The musical tells the story of how Sister Dorothy, a nun from Ohio, whose life work included helping the poor, was murdered in the Amazon. These reflections take the audience through 3 stages of her life that are changing each time. Mack composed this musical by reading actual letters from Sister Dorothy, placing together the pieces of her life. The first song "Have I Not Wept" was more church-like while the later song "Will They Listen" had harmonies from both this gospel feel and the Brazilian influence joining together. Dr. Capaldo, once again, provided the vocals for the 3 reflections, delivering an outstanding and powerful performance.
At the conclusion of the recital, Dean of the Business School, Dr. Paul Barrett presented Dr. Capaldo and Mack a special sample inaugural coin, made in honor of President Finnegan's inauguration as the twenty-fifth president of the university. The coin represented the best of Longwood and the performing arts. A reception was held afterwards in the Pauline B. Haga Room where attendees were offered refreshments. The recital was the final event to end the inaugural weekend. Looking ahead, on Oct. 29 the Lindsey Fitzpatrick, Senior Voice Recital will take place at 7:30 p.m. For more information on upcoming music events please visit www.longwood.edu/music/6936.
