Samford University’s School of the Arts presents Armistice: The Journey Home, Thursday, Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m. in Brock Recital Hall featuring baritone John Brancy and pianist Peter Dugan. This duo has been redefining the art song recital since making their critically acclaimed debut of A Silent Night at the Kennedy Center in 2014. At Samford, they will be presenting a tribute to the Armistice of World War I featuring songs by Schubert, Vaughan Williams, Berlin and more. According to the artists, “The presentation pays homage to the centennial of World War I through the music of composers who lived through, fought in, and died in the Great War.”
Inspired by the 100th anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I, this program tells the story of men and women who must find their way back home, literally and figuratively. While most of the music is directly related to World War I, its themes are universal, reaching as far back as Homer’s Odyssey. Armistice: The Journey Home features music from Schubert’s Der Wanderer and Vaughan Williams’ Songs of Travel and popular World War I era tunes by Oley Speaks and Irving Berlin. The evening is a companion program to Brancy and Dugan’s A Silent Night: A WWI Memorial in Song commemorating the centennial of the beginning of World War I.
During their visit to Samford, they will work with students in master classes in piano and voice. The School of the Arts hosts guest artists throughout the year to enhance the learning experience and allow students to meet professional artists and begin the networking process, a hallmark of the new Catalyst arts curriculum. Assistant professor of musicology and faculty host Beth McGinnis shared her enthusiasm for their visit. “John Brancy and Peter Dugan explore themes that are as relevant today as they were a hundred years ago. In master classes and a talk-back session, they will not only offer their expertise as performers but also guide students in understanding the place of music in society.”
Brancy and Dugan have given recitals presented by Carnegie Hall, Chamber Music Society of Palm Beach, St. John’s College, University of Chicago, Societe d’art Vocal de Montreal and more. Together they won first prize at the 2018 Montreal International Music Competition and second prize at the 2017 Wigmore Hall International Song Competition.
Both artists maintain lively and unique individual careers. Brancy has performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and on tour with Glyndebourne Opera. Dugan has performed as a soloist with Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony and in duo collaborations with Itzhak Perlman and Joshua Bell. For more information visit their websites johnbrancy.com and peterduganpiano.com.
Admission is free and open to the public.