‘Journey’ of song set to pay tribute to longtime Union teacher

Internationally known Welsh composer Hilary Tann worked for nearly 40 years teaching composition at Union College.

But when she died unexpectedly last Feb. 8, Musicians of Ma’alwyck founder and violinist Ann-Marie Barker Schwartz knew she’d have to find a way to recognize the impact Tann had, especially on the local arts community. A Hilary Tann Tribute is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.

“We would work with her comp students to demonstrate and show the possibilities of the instruments, rehearse, and then perform their work at the students’ recitals,” Barker Schwartz said. “I decided to do something on her to show the variety and scope of her career. She had a passion for all things Welsh, for folklore and religious lore.”

It was also at one of those student recitals that Barker Schwartz met Max Caplan, one of the student composers.

“I was blown away and asked Hilary if he could write something for us. She said yes. He was her star pupil and she was an important mentor to him,” Barker Schwartz said.

Caplan eventually joined MOM as pianist and composer.

While Tann wrote for orchestra and solo instruments, she also wrote extensively for chamber music. MOM will feature four of those works. Performers include flutist Norman Thibodeau, cellist Andre Laurent O’Neil, Caplan on piano, organist Alfred Fedak and baritone Joseph Han. Barker Schwartz will narrate.

“Embertides” for solo organ will be performed Sunday.

“Al collaborated with Hilary on how to write idiomatically for the organ and on its registrations. It was written for the 2014 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists, and Al, who is so much a part of that organization … it was appropriate for him to play it,” Barker Schwartz said.

“Seven Poems of Stillness for Cello and Narrator” was written in 2013.

“These are seven amazing poems by R.S. Thomas,” Barker Schwartz said. “They are vividly descriptive about his struggle with God.”

“Lief for Flute and Cello,” written in 1988, recalls the rain-swept walls of the Welsh countryside where echoes of the old hymns might still be heard.

“Melangell Variations for Baritone, Flute and Piano” was written in 2018.

This is a three-song cycle with several poems written by Welsh poet Gwyneth Lewis. It’s based on an ancient story about a female hermit whose grace and piety has her shelter a hare within her robes while keeping a hunter’s hounds at bay.

“It’s very thought-provoking. You take a journey with the songs,” Barker Schwartz said.
“Theater of the Air for Flute, Cello and Piano” was written in 2017.
“It’s all on birdsong and very atmospheric,” she said.

Hilary Tann Tribute with Musicians of Ma’alwyck
WHEN: 3 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Old Saratoga
Reformed Church, Schuylerville
HOW MUCH: $15; $5 for students
WHEN: 3 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: First Reformed Church of Scotia
HOW MUCH: $40, $10 for students
MORE INFO: musiciansofmaalwyck.org; 518 512 9479