An evening of new music at de Jong Concert Hall

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Those looking for a new musical sensory experience may find it on Tuesday at the de Jong Concert Hall.

The faculty composers showcase begins at 7:30 p.m. and will feature a special appearance by acclaimed pianist Keith Kirchoff.

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Pianist Keith Kirchoff will perform tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall. The recital is free and open to the public.
Michael Hicks, BYU professor of music composition, is planning to attend the recital and is enthusiastic about Kirchoff’s abilities.

“We have recitals each semester that feature faculty composers,” Hicks said. “This one we have a guest artist who is a virtuoso pianist. We’re really honored to have him here.”

The performance is open to the public and free of charge.

The recital will feature “Medusa in Fragments,” an original work by BYU associate professor and composer Steven Ricks. The work has been described in an email from the composer as a multimedia theater piece for solo piano, video projection and surround-sound electronics. Ricks said the work represents a major collaborative effort and features several artists and technicians associated with BYU.

“The music is experimental,” Hicks said. “It’s very progressive. Particularly with the electronics mixed in, this is a great event for the adventurous listener.”

Ricks explained how “Medusa in Fragments” came to be.

“Pianist Keith Kirchoff commissioned me to write this piece for his ongoing ‘Electro-Acoustic Piano’ project and has performed it at several venues in the U.S. and abroad, including its world premiere at the University of Toronto New Music Festival in January 2011,” Ricks said.

Ricks said “Medusa in Fragments” is the collaborative efforts of many associates.

“The monologues and songs in which Medusa reflects on the various characters and events that affected her life present six original texts by BYU author Stephen Tuttle,” Ricks said. “Medusa is acted-sung by soprano Jennifer Welch-Babidge and her intense performance was captured and enhanced by film maker and BYU alumnus Ethan Vincent. BYU graphic-video artist Brent Barson added titles and a compelling coda of animated text to the piece.”

Kirchoff will be in town for the Utah premiere of the work before recording it later in the week, Ricks said.

According to Kirchoff’s website, his next performance will be in Yorkshire, England, in early August.

The showcase will also feature works by other BYU faculty composers.

“The program will also include several works-movements for solo piano by my colleague Christian Asplund and promises to be an exciting evening of new music,” Ricks said.

For more information on Kirchoff visit keithkirchoff.com.

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