L. M. Gottschalk

L. M. Gottschalk; ca. 1848; lithograph; The Historic New Orleans Collection, 1979.144.6

June 12, 2018
6–7:30 p.m.
THNOC's Williams Research Center
410 Chartres Street
Admission is $20; $15 for THNOC and MASNO members; and free for Caillot Circle, Jackson Society, Laussat Society, and Bienville Circle members.
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The Historic New Orleans Collection and the Musical Arts Society of New Orleans will present “A Tricentennial Salute: Piano Music of Louis Moreau Gottschalk and Friends,” a piano recital by Peter Collins, Tuesday, June 12, at THNOC’s Williams Research Center, 410 Chartres Street.

“A Tricentennial Salute” will feature piano music by four 19th-century New Orleans composers—Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Basile Bares, Emil Richard, and Edouard Déjan. After relocating to Paris in 1841, Gottschalk captivated Europe with Creole folk melodies and Caribbean rhythms. Not only a representative of New Orleans, he is considered the first American composer and pianist to achieve international acclaim, dazzling audiences throughout Europe, the United States, and South America. Of the other composers, two were African American (Barès and Déjan), one moved from Paris to New Orleans (Richard), and one moved from New Orleans to Paris (Déjan). Together with  Gottschalk, they represent the musical climate of New Orleans. Their music reflected current trends in European and American salon styles. In keeping with the character of New Orleans, their compositions are often cast in forms that evoke dance and procession, particularly the waltz and march.

New Orleans-based pianist Collins is professor emeritus at Missouri State University where he taught and served as coordinator of the keyboard area for 25 years.  An award winner in several national and international piano competitions, he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Peabody Conservatory and his doctorate from the University of Michigan.

This program is presented with support from Hall Piano Company, WWNO 89.9, and Classical 104.9 FM.