A poetic conversation that included the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Kwame Dawes is the inspiration for “Tangling with the Epic,” a 3 p.m. Feb. 20 recital in Westbrook Music Building, Room 119. The performance is free and open to the public.
“Tangling with the Epic” features 12 songs — four solo performances and four duets. The lyrics come from a publication of the same name between Dawes, George Holmes Distinguished Professor of English and Glenna Luschei Editor of Prairie Schooner, and John Kinsella, an Australian poet. The music is composed by Tyler Goodrich White, professor of composition and conducting, and Diana Blom, an Australian composer.
“For ‘Tangling,’ both Diana and I each selected three poems by Kwame and three by John. Each poet got one setting for tenor, one for baritone and one duet for both voices,” White said. “Kwame and John have been collaborating for a number of years now, and ‘Tangling with the Epic’ is their third book of poems together. The collaboration has been carried out via e-mail with each poet sending the other his offerings electronically.”
The work will be performed by Kevin Hanrahan, associate professor of music (tenor); Patrick McNally (baritone); and Robert Mills (piano).
“Blom and White capture the soul of Kinsella’s and Dawes’ text,” Hanrahan said. “It has not only been an exciting project to work on, it has been an enlightening experience as well. These songs will change your perceptions and perspectives on our state, national and international society.”
In addition to “Tangling with the Epic,” the concert will also include the U.S. premieres of “Life: Songs for Baritone” and “Modern Folksongs: for tenor” by Blom, as well as the Nebraska premiere of “Southern Songs” by Blom, featuring guest artist MeeAe Nam (soprano).
