'Art in Music in Art' marries sights, sounds

Thursday's presentation of "Art in Music in Art" promises to be a unique experience combining music and visual art.

The Southeast Missouri State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble will play a concert based on music that has been inspired by famous works of art. The art will be shown on large screens during the performance at Academic Auditorium Thursday, Dec. 6.

The ensemble will play music by Aldo Forte, Johan de Meij and Guy Woolfenden that is based on art created by Vincent Van Gogh, Rene Magritte, Giorgio De Chirico and Georges Seurat.

The concept for the concert began formulating last summer when Dr. Robert Gifford, director of the ensemble, heard the premiere of a piece by the Dutch composer de Meij in Switzerland. It was one of four movements of de Meij's "The Venetian Collection," a work based on four paintings in the Gugenheim collection. Two movements, "Voice of Space" and "Empire of Light," are based on Magritte paintings of the same names. A third movement is based on de Chirico's "The Red Tower." A fourth movement has not been published.

Previous to that, Gifford heard a piece Forte based on the work of French Impressionists. It was written for the Air Force Band.

During a pre-concert lecture at the Dempster Hall Atrium, Dr. Sam Bishop of the Southeast art department will discuss the connections between art and music. Dr. Edwin Smith of the art department has assembled poster-size reproductions of the art to be displayed.

The lecture/reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Dempster Hall Atrium. For information, phone 651-2141.

The Southeast Concert Band directed by Barry Bernhardt will perform Christmas carols. The Clarinet Choir conducted by Dr. Michael Dean also will perform.

The concert will begin at 8 p.m. at Academic Auditorium. Admission is $6 general, $5 seniors and $5 students. Admission is free for university faculty, staff and students.