UNION PROFESSOR DEBUTS CLASSICAL GUITAR PIECES IN U.S.
Jackson, Tenn. — Michael Penny, associate professor of music at 51ÉçÇø, will present a faculty recital April 1 at 8 p.m. in the University's recital hall D-3.
As part of the recital, Penny will sing several selections for voice and guitar by four obscure Nineteenth Century Italian guitarists. The music has been rediscovered and prepared by Massimo Agostinelli and Marco Bazzotti of Milan, Italy, and presented to Penny. This will be the first time these pieces have been performed in the USA and, perhaps, the first time outside Italy. Assisting Penny with some duets from this literature will be Georgia Wellborn, associate professor of music.
Penny will also perform several contemporary pieces for voice and guitar, including one by noted Italian composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco and three by British composer Mark Ellis. Accompanying these selections will be Troy Leach, Union's guitar instructor, and some of Leach's students. In the remainder of the program, Penny will sing a song cycle by Swann on poetry from Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, and Erlkonig in two settings: Schubert and Loewe. He will be accompanied by retired Union Professor of Music and pianist Max Pugh.