Thursday. Feb. 27, 1986
Arts/Entertainment
University Daily Kansan
7
Music performed in memory of KU conductor
By Lori Polson Staff writer
Staff writer
A piece of music dedicated to his name seems a fitting way to memorialize a former conductor of the University Symphony Orchestra.
Edward Laut, professor of music and cello, and an ensemble performed "Elegy for George Lawner" for the first time last night in Swarthout Recital Hall. The performance was part of the Department of Music Faculty Recital Series.
Stephen Addiss, professor of art history, composed the piece.
George Lawner was a respected and honored faculty member of the department of music. In addition to conducting the University Symphony Orchestra, he had directed opera workshops and many opera and
musical productions during his 19 years at the University of Kansas.
On Jan. 17, 1985, Lawner suffered a heart attack. He died on May 31, 1985. Launt said the music had been written to eulogize Lawner. He dedicated the recital to his memory.
"In addition to being a fine musician, George Lawner was a close personal friend," he said.
Members of the ensemble performing the piece were Laut; Rori Satsuki, professor of music, violin; Michael Kimber, associate professor of music, viola; and Emily Powell, music teaching assistant, cello.
The audience of about 100 listened intently as the ensemble played the slow, moving music. At times haunting, and always strikingly sad, the
preece had the distinct feeling of
mourning.
Addiss said he had started composing the piece before Lawner suffered his attack.
"I was working on it in January, before he had his heart attack," he said. "He had heard some of the orchestrations." Addiss, finished "Eleeg" in June, after he had decided to dedicate it to Lawyer.
"I thought I'd like to do something to remember him," he said. "The fact that he had heard some of the piece makes it even more meaningful."
Addiss has written several pieces for KU's department of music and is now working on a piece for a composer's symposium.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the piece was the choice of chords the composer used. The dissonance of the music increased its mournful intensity.
A long pause at the end of "Elegy for George Lawner" indicated that the audience shared some of the composer's emotions.
For the second piece, "Sonata in E Major," by Giuseppe Valentine, Laut was accompanied by pianist Alice Downs, assistant professor of music. The evening was completed with the duo playing "Sonata in C Minor, Opus 6," by Samuel Barber; "Sonata in A Major, Opus 69," by Ludwig van Beethoven; "Apres un Reve," by Gabriel Fauré; and "Intermezza," by Enrique Granados.
Edward Laut, professor of music and cello, performs.
Shauna Norfleet/KANSAN
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