Dr. Noah DeLong, Milligan’s associate professor of music, opened the 2017-18 Faculty Lecture Series in Derthick Lecture Hall on Sept. 18 among students, faculty and members of the community. His lecture was titled “Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco: a composer between two worlds,” which was based on research from when DeLong was pursuing his doctorate.
With entertaining jokes throughout, DeLong spoke on Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s life and his music, particularly the music he wrote during World War II.
“There are three things I want you to take away from this lecture,” DeLong said. “One, go and find new music. Two, reflect on this tumultuous time in history. And three, explore the remarkable faith of this man.”
DeLong also shared the process he went through in order to even begin his research. DeLong had to get Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s grandchildren’s permission to use the composer’s work for his research.
Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s music was played in the lecture to show off his composing skills, and DeLong spoke about Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s oratorio The Book of Ruth, which Milligan’s women’s chorale sang a part of last year.
Castelnuovo-Tedesco wrote The Book of Ruth not only because it was his favorite Bible story, but also because it was one that he thought was very similar to his own life story. He could see connections with his mother, Noemi, to the biblical Naomi, and his wife, Clara, to the biblical Ruth.
DeLong also spoke about Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s other works that he wrote such as sonnets, poems and plays that were secular and religious. DeLong also mentioned music written by Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s grandfather.
The next faculty lecture will be on Oct. 17 at 6 p.m., also in Derthick Lecture Hall. Dr. Lori Mills, professor of psychology, will share her experience of living in China for the Fall 2016 semester.
Cover photo via Milligan.edu