Monday, September 10, 3:30 PM (approximately - in conjunction with special events for university emeriti)

Saturday, September 29 (2007) 11:00 AM (Family Weekend)

Wednesday, October 10, (2007) 7:00 PM (Homecoming)

October 10 Carillon Recital

The opening selection will be a transcription of a violin concerto by Antonio Vivaldi, which incidentally was first arranged for carillon performance in the early 18th Century. Also from the 18th century is a delightful "Preludio" by Flemish carillonneur Matthias van den Gheyn. The program will include several selections from the 20th-century repertoire of the carillon. John Pozdro, Professor Emeritus of Composition at The University of Kansas, was a pioneer in developing a strongly idiomatic way of writing for the carillon. His brief but mighty "Rustic Landscape" will be included on the program. One of Pozdro's former students, Gary White - Professor Emeritus of Iowa State University - has also made major contributions to the repertoire. Gouwens will be playing a set of "American Folk Songs" as set into clever short piece by White. John Gouwens is a recognized composer for carillon in his own right, and his "Prelude, Adagio, and Fugue" (you're hearing it right now) was awarded first Prize in an international competition in Mechelen, Belgium. The program will close with three rousing pieces by Franz Joseph Haydn, written originally to be played on clockwork organs. Not surprisingly, they are extremely effective on a carillon, which after all was an instrument that grew out of musical clockworks in the first place! 

As always, there will be some well-known and familiar selections throughout the program, in this case including "Autumn Leaves" and "Endless Love." Following the recital, if any are interested in seeing the instrument at close range, Mr. Gouwens will offer a tour. (Note: There are 100 steps and no elevator, and people will be admitted in groups of 30 due to space considerations in the tower.)

Programs will be available, with many details about the music and the instrument. 

September 29 Carillon Recital (11:00 AM)

The program will open with the rippling "Paraphrase" by Emilien Allard, an early composition by that renowned Quebcois composer and carillonneur, but already recognizable as his work. This will be followed by the delightful set whimsical dances for carillon entitled “Gaudi’s Chimneys” by John Courter. One of Gouwens’s earliest carillon compositions, “Danse Triste,” will be included also. A formidable Bach harpsichord piece, “Air with Variations in the Italian manner,” will be included also. The lean texture of the original piece makes it a stunningly effective candidate for carillon performance.