Batten Professor of Music and Artist-in-Residence Lee Jordan-Anders has traveled across the nation presenting her project.
By Heather Templeton '10
Lee Jordan-Anders
Virginia Wesleyan College's Batten Professor of Music and Artist-in-Residence Lee Jordan-Anders has traveled across the nation presenting her project, Picture This!, a Gallery of Musical Canvases Framed by Works of Art from the Collection of the Chrysler Museum.
Picture This!, which began as an audio tour first available at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Va., in November of 2007, has now been adapted as a traveling presentation. The presentation is a walk-through of a collection of artwork by artists such as Rembrandt, Delacroix and Renoir, accompanied by live piano music performed by Jordan-Anders.
Members of the Virginia Wesleyan community and the public will have the opportunity to view Jordan-Anders' work as the Virginia Wesleyan College Concert Series presents Picture This! at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov.7 in Hofheimer Theatre on the campus of Virginia Wesleyan College. A free preview will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 6.
Puck, Harriet G. Hosmer
(1830-1908).
Puck, by Harriet G. Hosmer (1830-1908) is accompanied by "Puck," from Lyric Pieces, Opus 71, Edvard Grieg (1843-1907), performed by:
Lee Jordan-Anders.
Hear a sample [mp3].
"Experiencing one art form can lead to a more thorough appreciation of another, hence the juxtaposition of visual images and musical compositions in this collection," said Jordan-Anders. "Listening to any of the musical selections in this collection creates a contemplative moment during which we can look longer and deeper into the companion work of art and allow something of its wonder and beauty to reveal itself."
Picture This! is also available for preview at the Chrysler Museum. Visitors can pick up an iPod upon entering the museum and follow a mapped out tour of artwork while listening to both music and commentary provided by Jordan-Anders.
The musical selections and commentary provided by Jordan-Anders are purely her own and unique to her personality, said Scott Howe, director of education and public programs for the Chrysler Museum.
"The music helps you to stop and look longer… there's an association of feelings [with the artwork and music] that complement each other."
- Scott Howe, Chrysler Museum of Art "The music helps you to stop and look longer… there's an association of feelings [with the artwork and music] that complement each other," he said.
Jordan-Anders teaches courses in aesthetics, listening, music theory, chamber music, and applied piano at Virginia Wesleyan. She received both her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. She joined the Virginia Wesleyan faculty in 1986 after living in Europe for five years, a period devoted to performing extensively as both soloist and chamber musician. She continues to perform regularly in the U.S., often creating programs illustrating the connection between music and the visual arts. Her articles on various aspects of piano teaching have appeared in Clavier Magazine, and she is a frequent guest speaker and adjudicator for piano teacher organizations. She continues to be an active performer and scholar, giving concerts and lectures throughout the United States.
Admission to Picture This! on Friday, Nov. 7 is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors/military students/VWC alumni. The concert is free to Virginia Wesleyan students, faculty, and staff. No reservations are necessary.
Admission to Picture This! as an audio tour at the Chrysler Museum is free to all students with an ID. The museum is open Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information about the Virginia Wesleyan College Concert Series, call 757.455.3376 or e-mail concerts@vwc.edu.
11.05.08