Compositions honor Memorial Library’s anniversary

To commemorate Memorial Library’s 50th anniversary, Mills Music Library received a grant to commission five original musical compositions by graduate students David Dies, Scott Gendel, Jerry Hui, Alexander Nohai-Seaman and Pavel Polanco-Safadit, all from the School of Music composition program.

Dies’ piece, “On Books and Libraries,” consists of six songs celebrating the vastness and diversity of the library’s holdings. Hui will debut “The Real Jesus,” inspired by a short poem by James Quinn. Gendel will premiere “GIC to HAR,” a work for soprano and string quartet based on text by Kenneth Rexroth. Nohai-Seaman’s composition, “Emeritus,” is scored for soprano, flute and violincello. Polanco-Safadit’s piece, “Listen,” is based on a poem by Rita Mae Reese.

The performance will take place on Monday, Sept. 27, at 4:30 p.m. in the Memorial Library’s Petrovich Reading Room (212). For more information call 265-2505 or e-mail glaudati@library.wisc.edu.