Musicians and music-lovers alike braved the weather at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Nutt Auditorium to attend “Sonic Explorations: From the Heart,” a concert created by University of Mississippi faculty member Adrienne Park.
“Sonic Explorations: From the Heart” is the third installment of an ongoing series by Park, and this particular installment featured the music of Eric Ewazen and Marshall Fine, two composers very dear to Park. The concert featured University of Mississippi faculty members, University of Memphis faculty members and members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. The performers were Micah Everett on bass trombone, Daniel Gilbert on violin, Michelle Pellay-Walker on viola, John Schuesselin on trumpet, David Spencer on trumpet and Adrienne Park on piano.
Park started working at the Ole Miss Music Department in 2001 and has been with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra since 2004. She is an instructor of music here and is the principal pianist at the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, which she described as a thrilling experience.
Throughout the night, audience members were enlightened with a unique concert experience where they viewed paintings, watched short videos and enjoyed live music.
The evening of heartfelt music began with a moving trumpet and piano piece and ended with a formidable trumpet, violin and piano trio, both by Ewazen.
A favorite of the night was Pink Sounds of a Memphis Evening by Fine, which showcased themes from the music of composer Anton Bruckner, all while capturing the spirit of Beale Street with its funky baseline.
The two very different composers’ music complimented each other well. While Ewazen’s melodious tunes sang to the audience’s hearts, Fine’s melancholy, chaotic pieces sang back in harmony.
The Sonic Explorations concerts in 2013 and 2014 highlighted British and Romantic themes in music, and in the future, Park said she hopes to do the same with film music and French music.
“I just get intrigued by some aspect of a certain kind of music, and I try to present a concert around that composer or type of music,” Park said.
Audience members can expect a concert unlike any other they have attended because of the mixed mediums involved in Sonic Explorations.
“I like to create a different type of experience for the audience,” said Park.
With this project, Park hopes to shine the spotlight on the talented community we have in this area, as well as here at the University of Mississippi.
