Composer channeler
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In Diane Haithman’s article about [pianist-actor] Hershey Felder, “C’mon and Sing Along” (Aug. 12), she failed to mention the historical perspective and humanity that Mr. Felder brings to these “biopic” theater pieces. As a professional musician myself, I find these storytelling concerts truly masterfully written, and [they] create an enormous amount of education for a vast audience.
Mr. Felder is a lineage holder of the genius of George Gershwin, Frederic Chopin and, soon, Ludwig van Beethoven. The amount of research he does clearly brings the tradition of these men to a new generation. This kind of art is not only beautifully constructed but completely necessary, for the sound-bite culture we now live in requires it for these composers’ survival.
Focusing on a “sing-along” as the basis for Mr. Felder’s work misrepresents this entire experience; it is but a freckle on the face of these masters who are in desperate need of preservation!
David Geist
Santa Fe, N.M.
Geist is a conductor, pianist and vocal coach.
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