Faythe Freese, professor of organ at the University of Alabama, will premiere a solo organ work, The Freese Collection, in three concerts January 23–25 as part of the 25th anniversary celebration of the Moody School of Music Concert Hall 86-rank, four-manual Holtkamp organ. Dr. Freese commissioned the work by composer Pamela Decker, professor of organ and music theory at the University of Arizona in Tucson. The University of Alabama’s dance professors Cornelius Carter, Sarah Barry, and Rita Snyder, and company members of the Alabama Dance Program will choreograph and dance during the premiere concerts, which also feature organ music by Charles Tournemire and Stephen Paulus. January 25 also marks the opening festivities of the tenth annual Alabama Church Music conference.
The Freese Collection was inspired by three original works of art held in Faythe and Gerald Freese’s collection that were created by Nall, a UA alum and a protégé of Salvador Dali: 1. Nall Violin; 2. Iris and Poppy; and 3. Organ Cross. On January 23 Nall will mount a visual arts show in Moody School of Music Lobby.
