From the soaring grandeur of Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring" to the unrelenting malevolence in the score of Hitchcock's "Psycho" the Live Music Project will consider quintessentially American music in its final concert of the season on Friday, April 28, at 8 p.m. at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. "America" a fundraiser for the Quick Center-based, conductor-less orchestra, will take place in the Kelley Theatre and feature guest actors Keir Dullea and Mia Dillon.

"The concert is meant as an interesting journey through different, fascinating, innovative and moving elements of the American musical experience, the continuing thread being the vast body of rich work to choose from" said Daniel Smith, the ensemble's artistic director.

In addition to the Copland piece and music from "Psycho" the varied program features Barber's "Adagio for Strings" Joplin's "Magnetic Rag" and even a piece Ben Franklin wrote for string quartet. Live Music Project Music Director and violinist Netta Hadari will join a bluegrass band for a few tunes and a jazz ensemble made up of LMP members will also be featured.

As always, the concert will include interesting anecdotes and friendly commentary, as well as several readings of American poetry. Smith has written orchestral music to underscore a reading of Hemingway's classic "The Killers" as well as two very special performances: Mia Dillon, who was featured in the film "The Money Pit" and Broadway's "Crimes of the Heart" will read a touching story by Langston Hughes and her husband, Keir Dullea, star of the classic film "2001: A Space Odyssey" will read from sci-fi master Ray Bradbury.

Founded by Smith and Hadari in conjunction with the Quick Center, The Live Music Project aims to change the way audiences think about chamber music. Now finishing its third season, the group includes some of the region's top musicians, offering exciting concerts with an emphasis on interaction with the audience. The ensemble tackles both classical and contemporary works of all kinds, sometimes featuring world premieres of compositions by Smith, who also provides music for and directs many of the Quick Center's popular live radio dramas.

"It's an innovative opportunity for ensemble music that brings a mixture of music and classic literature in an intimate setting" said Quick Center Director of Programming Deborah Sommers of the Live Music Project.

Tickets are $25. For tickets, call the Quick Center box office at (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396. For more information, visit www.quickcenter.com.

Posted On: 04-10-2006 10:04 AM

Volume: 38 Number: 227