Event Title

In Memorium Dylan Thomas – a Salute to the Vocal Music of Igor Stravinsky

Authors

Stephen Bomgardner, Drury UniversityFollow

Performer / Ensemble

Stephen Bomgardner (Tenor)

Streaming Media

Date of Publication

3-26-2021

Document Type

Event

Abstract / Program Notes

2020 is the 75th anniversary of the death of Igor Stravinsky, arguably one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. While Stravinsky wrote in nearly every genre, his works for solo voice are not performed as often as his other works. For this lecture recital, we will look at Stravinsky’s work for tenor, string quartet and trombone quartet – In Memorium Dylan Thomas. Stravinsky met Dylan Thomas in May 1953 and expressed an interest in writing an opera with Thomas as librettist. When Thomas died suddenly in November of that year, Stravinsky wrote, “This was a terrible blow to me as well as to all those who knew Dylan Thomas’s genius. During the following months I thought of composing something to Dylan Thomas’s memory. No poem of his could fit my purpose better than the one he had composed in memory of his father.” Stravinsky set Thomas’s poem “Do not go gentle into that good night”. Stravinsky’s unique use of the tone row will be discussed, as well as other aspects of the work. The full work will be performed as part of the lecture recital. This lecture recital will include information on Stravinsky’s entire output for solo voice. Over the course of his career, he wrote over 20 works for solo voice in Russian, English and French, and many are chamber works for voice and instruments. These works are ideal for college students and professionals, and make a wonderful addition to recital programs.

Biography

Stephen Bomgardner combines an active singing career with a full-time teaching career. He has performed over 130 solo and chamber music recitals in Boston, Minneapolis, Seattle, Los Angeles, Houston, and numerous other cities across the United States. He has also been invited to give 41 lecture recitals at regional and national conferences of the College Music Society and state music conventions such as the Texas Music Educators Association. In oratorio and concert works, he has performed as soloist in thirty-five different works by such composers as Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Mendelssohn and Britten. In opera, he specializes in character tenor roles, and his repertoire includes twenty-six different character roles. Recent performances in include Monostatos (Die Zauberflöte), Vogelsang (Der Schauspieldirektor), and Vandendur, Charles Edwards and Ragotski (Candide). He is Professor of Music and Chair of Fine and Performing Arts at Drury University where he teaches voice, voice-related courses, and music history. Previously, he taught at Minnesota State University-Mankato, Gustavus Adolphus College, Pittsburg State University and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. He holds the Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance from Boston University's School of Music, the Master of Music from Rice University's Shepherd School of Music, and the Bachelor of Music from Fort Hays State University.

Keywords

Igor Stravinsky, solo voice, Dylan Thomas