Faculty Tuesday: The Music of Richard Toensing
Tuesday, March 31, 2015, 7:30 PM
Grusin Hall, CU College of Music, Boulder
Cherubic Hymn (2014) – world premiere
University Singers, Gregory Gentry, conductor
A Tribute to Richard Toensing
By Steven Bruns, associate professor of music and currently Associate Dean for Graduate Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music
“Richard Toensing indeed made a serious contribution, in his music and in his life. The stars he created for us all in his music will continue to burn brightly in the sky, and so we remain, forever enriched.”
For Daphne (2013) – world premiere
Daphne Leong, piano
Mozart’s Quintet in E flat major for Piano and Winds
Largo – Allegro moderato
Ciara Glasheen-Artem, oboe; Kellen Toohey, clarinet; John Geiger, horn; Daniel Nester, bassoon; David Korevaar, piano
Double Chaconne (2011)
James Buswell, violin; Carol Ou, violoncello
The Wendell Berry Songs (2003-04) selections
Julie Simson, mezzo-soprano; David Korevaar, piano
I. Grace
III. The Cold
V. April Woods: Morning
VI. A Song Sparrow Singing in the Fall
A few words from a former student
by Michael D. Fiday, Composition Department Chair; Associate Professor of Composition, University of Cincinnati
“After Dick’s passing I had some correspondence with my dear friend and fellow CU alum Charles Shadle, who remarked that ‘as a human being, Dick held the bar pretty high.’ This to me sums it up perfectly. Especially as a young student, it is easy to assume that this particular combination of high standards, devotion, encouragement, inspiration, artistry, and above all humanity are common. They are not. These are in fact a rare, rare combination of traits, and Richard Toensing was a very rare and special kind of human being. Those of us who were fortunate enough to be taught by him, to play his music, make music with him and otherwise know him received a very unique gift. It’s a gift I will carry with me the rest of my life, and which I now try my best to impart to my own
students.”
Dream Fantasy Pavane (2009)
Christina Jennings, flute; Matthew Dane, viola
Serene and Heavenly Bells (Antiphony I) (2014) – world premiere
University of Colorado Wind Symphony
Donald McKinney, conductor; Allan McMurray, conductor emeritus