Monmouth Faculty and Students to Perform 'Two Monuments'

There has been quite the wide array of performances recently at Monmouth University’s Pollak Theatre, from groups like The Klezmatics and Leahy to singer-songwriters like Roger McGuinn and Jeff Daniels. Now students and faculty at Monmouth will have their opportunity to shine, as the Department of Theater and Arts will perform “Two Monuments,” on Friday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m.

The “Two Monuments” in question refer to Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Symphony #3 in E-flat major (Eroica)” and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Requiem Mass in D Minor.” In association with the Monmouth University Performing Arts Series, Music and Theatre Arts Professors Ron Frangipane and Dr. David M. Tripold will conduct the orchestra and chorus.

Beethoven’s piece is perhaps one of his most unique and influential that he wrote over the course of his life. According to the historical website beethovenseroica.com, “Symphony #3” is much different than his first two symphonies as this was one of the first pieces written after he went deaf, so it had a much stronger and daring sound infused within it.

This piece also has strong historical connections, as many know that when this piece was composed in 1803, it was personally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte.

Looking at Mozart’s piece, “Requiem Mass in D Minor,” this is one of his most well known works, as interestingly enough, Mozart died before it was ever completed. The piece is actually quite controversial, as many do not know exactly how much of the work was completed by Mozart and how much was completed by Austrian composer Franz Xaver Sussmayr.

This requiem has 14 movements within the piece, and has been played at many funerals since it was written, most notably being played at the mass of President John F. Kennedy.

A performance of the Mozart piece can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ufr_dNzjxw&feature=player_embedded.

Tickets for the performance cost $30 for orchestra seats, and $22 for seats in the loge. For more information or to order tickets, please call the Central Box Office at 732-263-6889, or visit Monmouth University Arts online at www.monmouth.edu/arts. The Central Box Office is open from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.