My latest composition, Silence in Forty-Two, is nearing completion. Scored for piano and baritone, Silence in Forty-Two was written for baritone Jeff McEvoy. The text is an adaptation of Dustin M. Hoffman‘s short story of the same name. The premiere is set for Sunday, April 12, 2015 as part of the Providence Chamber Music Series. The concert will take place at Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Road, Charlotte, NC.
The subject matter of Silence in Forty-Two revolves around the internal thoughts of a maintenance man making a shower repair in the apartment of a girl who is hearing impaired. The focus shifts from his obvious infatuation with her to his struggle to understand her world as he is making the repairs.
The adaptation was done by Dustin. Basically we needed to shorten the text to a scope suitable for setting it to music. Jeff joined the Winthrop University music faculty last year and I am fortunate to have the opportunity to write for him. Dustin is in his first year at Winthrop. He was hired by the College of Arts and Sciences to teach creative writing. One of Dustin’s interests is subject matter rooted in working class people. In addition to Silence in Forty-Two, plans are also underway to set at least two more of his adaptations and orchestrate all three pieces.