The Town Talk from Alexandria, Louisiana • Page 39

Altxantoto Dniln Coum SalK Sunday, July 1,1984 JFoass. IPre)fl Tome of U.S. Composers Includes Alexandria Native e-ven of ra-grance it holds up un- der the lamp achild-lil cresc. Panorama The World's Fair is bringing interesting visitors to central Louisiana these days. In town last week were David Ward-Steinman, his wife Susan and California filmmaker Denis Sanders.

After touring New Orleans and plantations along the River Road, the trio visited David's langer was especially significant in his development as a composer, Ward-Steinman said. "I had already acquired a pretty good craftsmanship. But she forced me to raise my standards." Ms. Boulanger helped him create his own "musical conscience," he Hope J. Wurman Musing Ak.

poco Tit. ing on the ho-ri zon A- I 1 Sf II in explained. "She was not dogmatic, not doctrinaire," he emphasized, "but she had an uncanny ability to go right to the weak passages. She'd say, 'Here, it is not YOU." Although at the time the famed French composer was 72, her energy was "incredible," Ward-Steinman said. "She had the vitality of a person half her age.

She was intense, demanding; it was a rigorous discipline, but exhilarating." That year 1961 Ward-Steinman completed his first symphony and joined the San Diego faculty. The work, which was premiered in 1962 by the San Diego Symphony, later won two national prizes. Other major works of the 1960s followed: "Song of Moses," a 70-minute oratorio for soloists, choir and orchestra first performed by the 800-voice San Diego State chorus and narrated by Gregory Peck. The orchestra included 25 percussion instruments. "Western Orpheus," a ballet whose orchestration includes such unusual instruments as the Japanese koto, a silk-stringed zither.

"Cello Concerto," music inspired by Mark Roth-ko's paintings. Ward-Steinman hasn't hesitated to incorporate a variety of elements and techniques in his compositions. Early in the 1970s he published his first electronic music, scoring for the synthesizer and orchestra such works as "Antares," introduced by the Florida Gold Coast Symphony, and "Arclurus," commissioned and premiered by the Chicago Symphony. He's especially known for his experiments with the fortified piano, in which the pianist plays directly on the piano strings using various items that might include mallets, brushes, pencil erasers and kitchen utensils. for Fortified Piano," for example.) He also produces mixed-media compositions incorporating videotape: for instance, "Toccata for Synthesizer and Slide Projectors." Ward-Steinman mixes contemporary and traditional elements as well.

"And in These Times," a Christmas cantata for narrator, soloists, choir and chamber ensemble, is a modern day retelling of the nativity story which ends "on a note of hope" with a (Turn to C-2) parents Irving and Daisy Ward-Sieinman and sister Judy Karst. Relaxing at his parents' home on Bush Avenue before piloting his plane back to California, Ward-Steinman was unstinting in his praise of his native state. "It's marvelous," he said. "I took time to see things I'd never seen before." Although he's been a music faculty member at San Diego State University for more than two decades (as composer in residence and, since 1968, full professor) Ward-Steinman said he still likes to consider Alexandria his "base." "It's my spiritual home," he said positively. Central Louisiana is proud to claim him, too.

As far as I know, Ward-Steinman is the only native son to be listed in David Ewen's prestigious reference book "American Composers," a definitive biographical dictionary of every major U.S. composer of serious music since 1776. Ewen's book contains entries for nearly 300 composers, including information on each musician's life, works and significance. The author cites Ward-Steinman's "restless and innovative creative imagination" in "avant-garde pastures." When I asked about his Alexandria background, Ward-Steinman answered readily: "I got a good start." Born in 1936 into a creative family (his mother's a musician, his father an attorney, painter and writer) Ward-Steinman was encouraged in childhood to "sight-read, browse and explore." His early piano teachers included his mother, Mrs. H.D.

Dear and Louisiana College faculty members John Venettozzi and Wallace McKenzie. At Bolton High School he played clarinet in the band, accompanied the chorus on piano, organized a jazz band and took advantage of extra opportunities like band camps and summer music sessions at In-terlochen. After receiving his bachelor's degree cum laude from Florida State University (chosen because of its "strong music he attended the University of Illinois for master's and doctoral degrees. Then there was a fellowship for travel and study abroad. The year spent in Paris as a student of Nadia Bou- 4 David Ward-Steinman, professor of music and promptu five-note theme.

The son of Irving composer in residence at San Diego State Uni- and Daisy Ward-Steinman is listed in a recent versity, relaxes at his parents' Alexan- biographical dictionary oi American compos- dria home by composing a number on an im- ers since 1776. (Town Talk Photo) Ladies' Men's Children's Shoes! For ladies 9 West, Bandolino, Capezio, Aigner, Red Cross, Cobbies, Socialites, Nickels, Liz Claiborne, Bass, Gloria lander-bilt, Famolare. For children Stride-Rile, Little Capezio, Jumping Jacks. For men Florshiem, Dexter. iaoies LADIES' MEN'S CHILDREN'S Buy One Pair Of Sale Shoes at the Regular Price Get a Second Paircn A of Sale Shoes up to Equal Values for Only cLb LARGE GROUP HANDBAGS INCLUDED SHOE STORES di (S3 alexandria mall in the centre 448 649 Abnondrio Mall 443-1 848 DofthiiHf ot Joekson 445-4731 ALL SALES FINAL NO RETURNS NOLAYAWAYS.