ACTU Presents American Music Sunday
Post Published On:Arts for the Community at Thomas University (ACTU) presents their Sunday at Four American Music concert on Sunday, November 12 at Trinity Anglican Church located at 325 W. Jackson St. in Thomasville, Georgia.
This concert will feature works by two locally known musicians and composers Paul Liljestrand and Charles DeLaney, in addition to works by George Gershwin and African-American composer William Grant Still.
Performing on the program will be soprano Rebecca Brinson and cellist Boyan Bonev, along with violinist , flutist Karl Barton, and pianist Jim Amend.
“This concert is a tribute to American music in general and two composers who had a profound influence on my life and music in this region,” stated series coordinator and Professor of Music Dr. Karl Barton.
“Paul Liljestrand began the Sundays at Four concert series in Thomasville,” continued Barton, “and Charlie DeLaney was my flute professor at Florida State University, but it wasn’t until after both men had passed that I became aware of the scope and magnitude of their compositional work.”
Dr. Paul Frederick Liljestrand was born May 15, 1931 in Montclair, NJ, died Feb 17, 2011 in Thomasville, GA. His musical gifts were recognized at an early age, and he studied at The Julliard School, beginning in the Pre-College Division and continuing through the Master’s Degree program. A prolific composer, Dr. Liljestrand wrote hymns, service music and anthems for both full choir and women’s voices. A master accompanist, he went on many tours with bass-baritone Simon Estes and accompanied many other professional musicians at their recitals. He was noted for his organ improvisations and gave many dedicatory organ recitals.
Charles DeLaney was professor of flute at FSU College of Music from 1976 to 2000. He had previously taught at the University of Illinois from 1952 to 1976, where he was an associate conductor for the university orchestra and musical director for the university musical productions. He was also the music director and conductor of the Albany Symphony Orchestra in Albany, Ga., from 1979 to 1988. DeLaney’s distinctly American compositional style is best defined as neo-Romantic. Heavily inspired by poetry, novels, and mythology, nearly half of his works directly correlate to a specific text or literary reference.
“Interestingly, the majority of Liljestrand’s compositions were sacred vocal works, and DeLaney’s were instrumental,” stated Barton, “however, this program will include some of Liljestrand’s instrumental works and secular songs, and DeLaney’s ‘Swan Song’ which seems to come from some of his last days as a student.”
This concert is free and open to the public and will begin at 4 p.m. November 12.
For more information about this and other ACTU events, visit www.facebookcom/actu31792 or www.thomasu.edu/actu, call (229) 227-6964 or email actu@thomasu.edu.
