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Show Chronicle Page Eight Thursday, April 13, 1989 ACCENT PoamiDs-U. S to highlight composltlonis 20tth-cntMg- y concert features no Bach or Mozart, only contemporary artists' work By Sharon Deckert Chronicle assistant feature editor what the composer meant. When the composer is living, you just call him up." After Garth has a piece prepared for . The words "piano recital" often conjure up painful images of youthful musical . r performance, she arranges a session with the composer. 'Ideally we meet a couple or comfortable images of of weeks before the performance and see attempts familiar classical music. if there are any huge points I've missed." Eliza But that doesn't mean that Garth plays Garth Monday, April 17, pianist a y will present performance of to order. She said there have been times works that could when she has disagreed with the piano those permanently change stereotypical composer about tempo or dynamics, of never about actual note arrangements, and thoughts recitals. 'There will be no Bach and no Mozart," has persuaded him or her that the piece Garth said of Monday's performance. works well the way she interprets it. What there will be are examples of some Once composers realize Garth takes of this century's greatest composers. their works seriously and has taken time Garth will perform works by Aaron to prepare, they realize she is on their Copland, Igor Stravinsky, Bela Bartok, side. The old stereotype of the inflexible George Benjamin, John Anthony Lennon composers who want their work played and Steven Roens. Although Garth loves exactly as written is not true to life. the classical repertoire, she has chosen to "Mainly composers just want to be recent because she understood," she said. "And if they feel perform compositions finds it gratifying to be a part of the you are trying to help people understand what they are doing and thinking, they development of new pieces.. "It's kind of like the difference between can be flexible in their demands." being the curator of a museum and being Being flexible in her own life is part of a midwife," she said. "One works at the reason Garth has become one of the music. preserving the work of centuries ago and leading proponents of the other assists in the creative process." After graduating from Boston Garth said as she works on a new piece University, she studied at Juilliard. While she has questions about what a composer she was there she met and worked with wants. For the composer it is hard to many young composers studying at know how much information to put into Columbia. When she graduated she a score. But if the composer puts in too realized there was a need for solo pianists much information, the result can be what who could play contemporary music. one of Garth's friend terms "information "At the time I was ready to look for too where much professional work, there was a need for poisoning"the point information can overwhelm the someone with an interest in new music. performer. Working with contemporary It was good fortune for me that I was music allows Garth to clarify questions available and had the interest. she may have about the score. "I had teachers who felt that you "With the older repertoire you wonder couldn't be an artist of your own time if x . '. 20th-centur- 20th-centu- y &&rf ry Chronicle photo by Kristan Jacobsen Eliza Garth, a solo pianist who will perform Monday, said music should be approached and appreciated for its own language and set of sounds. you didn't take an interest in the music of allow each piece to present its own . language and different set of sounds. your own time." So Monday, in the performance "The main thing anybody should keep sponsored by ASUU, Garth will perform in mind is that the concert is what it is, music of her own time. There will be no and it shouldn't be approached on the Bach and no Mozart, but there will be the basis of what it isn't," she said. innovative music of this century. Eliza Garth will perform Monday, Garth said audience members will April 17 ',. in the auditorium of the enjoy the performance if they drop their Museum of Fine Arts at 8 p.m. Tickets idea of what a recital usually means and are $5, $2 for students. . 20th-centu- ry . IMmisoGiiain) soDDgs By Isaiah Stewart Chronicle staff writer of ecology, jysftice and peace mysterious quality. Scott has released two albums on the ! GRD Invincible label with his group, Radiance. The records include A Song for the Earth, a Phoenix-base- d is an ultimate form of expression. Ever evolving and ever Music changing, music comes in a variety of forms. Using styles of music ranging from classical to folk, Jim Scott has proven himself both as an instrumentalist and vocalist. Preparing for his upcoming concert in Salt Lake City, Scott discussed many different facets of his musical career including his love for the guitar. "My primary instrument is the classical nylon-strin- g guitar, but I also electric play guitar," Scott said. "The has a guitar history of being the portable orchestra that you can do so much with." classical and and Inverness, an album formatted with earth-oriente- sounds and a Latin d flavor..:1:: mmmw ": Scott explained the myriad of musical styles he uses stem from personal interests in music from all mmmm.. mmtmms. walks of life. 1 - "It's just different loves of mine," he said. "It's just things from one experience or another. You can really take people 1 ... places with music, and using these different traditions is like integrating the s, As a jazz guitarist, Scott first recorded - X . whole world." For this reason, Scott believes on a global level the expression of music in ,?; different m cultures is extremely significant. "Every language in every country has got music, and everybody relates to that," Scott said. "Music is the universal language." i mmmmmmmmmm wm . S Guitarist Jim Scott likes to spread social and ecological commentary through music. poetry and I , was involved in a lot of ability, he hasn't always needed them. "In some ways I was in political things," Scott said. "Now it seiems I want to say, 'Hey, I don't want to learning certain things like popular just be considered a peace-kn- it guitar music," Scott said. "The guitar was kind player'-rea- lly what I do is music." of a sideline until college, but I've Scott first learned how to play the played since I was little. guitarist," Scott said. "I've come to do a lot of singing, but I play a little more guitar from his father, and in 1968, he "In third grade I got a ukulele and I folk from of than do." a Eastman School lot of was playing that," Scott said. "In fifth the singers guitar graduated Committed to the peace movement, Music in Rochester, N.Y., where he grade, I bought a $20 Stella guitar, and Scott has devoted a majority of his focused his abilities mostly on playing they're a classic, I think they still make them-th- ey performing time to benefit concerts for percussion. probably don't cost $20." Over the years, Scott has broadened causes he supports. In 1980, Scott's released his first The record However, while Scott believes in his musical knowledge by attending a album, Jim Scott-Alo- ne. and schools, and in featured classical compositions for composing and performing music that number of colleges and electric guitar for studied act toward a to he 1978 goal guitar. His second release, Lake jazz inspires people the to the Boston. Unto be want at in doesn't he Clouds, soon followed. This stereotyped Berkeley College peace, But while school has played a major record contained music that highlighted or completely confined to the image. "I've tried to make statements in my role in developing Scott's musical improvisations that manifested a ecology, justice and peace, and his music has been labeled everything from classical to folk to new age. It took time before Scott began using his voice as a tool for social commentary and peace activism. "I guess I had an agenda of wanting to be known as a recording folk-styl- e featuring a blend of ethnic percussion, with flutist Paul Horn, and was the. featured guitarist and singer for the Paul Winter Consort. Scott has participated in more than a dozen recordings; ranging from solo guitar to compositions for large ensemble. Scott is known for singing songs with lyrics that attempt to further the ideas of wM S'.-- i . self-taug- While expressing this universal language is Scott's primary love, he is also involved in developing music workshops and producing books about composition and guitar technique. Scott's future goals as a musician are to continue creating and performing music for people who support him (people Scott calls "his friends") and singing commentary for his personal beliefs and causes. "I feel I'm successful doing what I'm "I love being the doing," Scott said. catalyst who brings people together. I'd like to continue doing mat on a larger ht 12-stri- scale." ng , - Jim Scott will perform Friday, April 14, at 7:30 p.m. at the Newman Center, 1327 E. 200 South. Tickets are $6 at the door. , |
