Faythe Freese, professor of organ at the University of Alabama, commissioned and performed three world premieres of The Freese Collection by Pamela Decker, professor of organ and music theory at the University of Arizona-Tucson, on January 23–25. The work was inspired by three of Faythe and Jerry Freese’s original art works of Nall, a protégé of Salvador Dali.
The concert program, including works by Tournemire and Paulus, was choreographed by UA dance professors Cornelius Carter, Rita Snyder, and Sarah Barry, and danced by members of the University of Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre. Dr. Freese performed the three-movement, 15-minute work—plus the works by Tournemire and Paulus—on the 86-rank, four-manual, mechanical-action Holtkamp organ in the University of Alabama Moody School of Music Concert Hall. The premieres were part of the 25th birthday celebration of the Holtkamp organ.
