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Dr. James L. Hill In Piano RecitalBy E. MARIE BURDETTEMessenger Hall, on theSouthwestern College campus,was filled beyond its seatingcapacity as music lovers fromWinfield and surrounding townsheard the piano recital playedby James Lewis Hill Sunday afternoon.Dr. Hill, who is an associate professor of English at Michigan State University, is the son of Dr. and Mrs. James E. Hill ofArkansashonoredCity. The recital his formerpianoteacher, E. Marie Burdette, who has just completed 50 years of piano teaching, 45 of which were at Southwestern College.In his high school days, Jim was a brilliant pianist, winning many honors statewide and nationally. His playing Sunday would “warm the cockles” of this or any other former teacher’s heart as his program was unfolded with refinement and virtuosity. His playing reflected an informed musical scholar with an ear sensitive to stylistic nuances. One cannot pass over the fact that Jim is not only a knowledgeable musician but is a poet, writer and a professor with a doctor’s degree from Princeton in English Literature with its interchanging influence of artistry.True, he has an unmistakable affinity for the piano and could very well have gone into the field of music as a professionalThe recital, which was sponsored by the Alpha Chi Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, opened with the Mozart C Minor K457 Sonata which is considered to be one of the great Mozart works for piano. It exploits the instrument as it was known in Mozart’s day to a degree unusual in his writing, with the exception of his piano concertos. The Sonata was played with a refreshing and almost breath-taking artistry which was genuinely delightful.The Rachmaninoff Preludes Op. 32, No. 8 and 5 were contrasting in style, the one an exciting virtuoso number while in the other we hear Rachmaninoff at his lyric best. Both were given as exciting and effective interpretation.The first half of the program came to a close with the brilliant Chopin F MinorFantasy played with the exuberance of youth and the maturity of experience, marked by finesse and imagination. A sweeping style imparted breadth to his interpretation.It was in the Debussy that Jim made his listeners even more aware that he had the true pianist’s sense of how beautiful his chosen instrument can sound. Debussy was a master of piano sound effects with many of them created by his, as well as Ravel’s, revolutionary use of the pedal, whether it be an ethereal pianissimo, a murmuring cascade or some technical brilliancy. Jim had this atmospheric impressionism in his interpretation of “Reflections in the Water,” “Homage to Rameau,” and “Movement” from the first series of “Images.”His was a masterful interpretation of the Sonatine by Ravel which crowned the program with a performance worthy of the composer. In his very real love for music Jim submerges himself to the extent that the listener hears not the pianist but only the audible music.The recital was a memorable event played by a capable and sensitive pianist who blended musicianship, artistry and enthusiasm into a concert that won his listeners.At the close of the program, a reception was given by Alpha Chi members and the Hills, honoring Dr. Hill and Miss Burdette.All river deltas in theworld are named after thedelta of the Nile, so-calledbecause it is triangular—theshape of the Greek letter delta.
Newspaper Details
Arkansas City Traveler
Arkansas City, Kansas, US
Wed, Nov 11, 1970
Page 10
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GA, USA 11 Dec 2019
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