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Upcoming Events
Playing Haydn for the Angel of Death
A Musical Tribute to Minnesota’s
‘Bard of the Prairie’
(1943 – 2009)
Bill Holm was the embodiment of the spirit of Minnesota. His love of the windswept prairie, the glacial Fjords of his ancestral Iceland and the power of music are imbued throughout his impressive oeuvre of poetry. Holm’s masterpiece of prose Playing Haydn for the Angel of Death encapsulates his philosophy of music by drawing on musical metaphors while referencing specific compositions to describe the ultimate human condition - death. This has now been set to music in a 15 part song cycle by Minnesota composer Martha Helen Schmidt. It was conceived by two of the late poet's friends - Ryan Hugh Ross- Baritone & Dr. Daniel Rieppel - SMSU Professor of Piano Studies - who will give the premiere performances this May!
The event will also feature select poetry from Bill Holm’s oeuvre presented by distinguished colleagues and friends, followed by the premiere of Playing Haydn for the Angel of Death - A 15 part musical setting of the epic poem.
Recent Performances
Icelandic Premiere
Thursday October 20th 2022
8PM
Fríkirkjan í Reykjavík
Reykjavík, Iceland
Recent Performances
Special Preview Performance World Premiere
May 17th 2022 at 7:30PM May 21st 2022 at 7:30PM
Southwest Minnesota State University Open Book Literary Arts Center
Fine Arts Theatre Target Performance Hall
1501 State Street, FA 207 1011 S Washington Ave # 101
Marshall, MN 56258 Minneapolis, MN 55415
United States United States
Dr. Daniel Rieppel Ms. Martha Helen Schmidt Mr. Ryan Hugh Ross
Pianist Composer Baritone
Performance made possible with the generous support from
Southwest Minnesota State University Milkweed Editions, Inc.
Foundation
For more information please visit:
Milkweed Editions events page:
https://milkweed.org/event/playing-haydn-for-the-angel-of-death
Open Book Literary Arts Center
events page:
https://openbookmn.org/events/playing-haydn-for-the-angel-of-death
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