Remembrance and Renewal II
Tess Remy-Schumacher
&
Friends
Margaret Brisch
Rachel Darvin
Ben Davis
David Forbat
Steven Fraser
Meryl Geib
Marilyn Govich
Samuel Magrill
5 PM, March 30, 2025
UCO Jazz Lab
Concert Program
Two Songs for Voice, Cello and Piano, Op. 91 /Johannes Brahms
I. Gestillte Sehnsucht (Friedrich Rückert)
II. Geistliches Wiegenlied (Emanuel Geibel after Lope de Vega)
Marilyn Govich, Soprano/ David Forbat, Piano
The Mirror for Cello Solo (2024) Premiere/ Logan Hobart
Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op. 58 in D major/ Felix Mendelssohn
III. Adagio
Ben Davis, Piano
Lullaby for Two (2024) Premiere/ Samuel Magrill
Margaret Brisch, Piano
Revêrie for Cello and Piano/ Danaë Xanthe Vlasse
Rachel Darvin, piano
Requiem for Three Celli and Piano, Op. 66/ David Popper
Andante sostenuto
Steven Fraser and Meryl Geib, Cello/ Samuel Magrill, Piano
Surprise encore!
Biographies and Program notes
Dr. Tess Remy-Schumacher is a featured Solo Artist on Kitt Wakeley’s 2023 GRAMMY® winning CD “An Adoption Story.” She won 1st Prize at the International Carlo-Zecchi Competition in Rome, multiple Silver and Bronze Medals at the Global Music Awards, Grand Prize of the 2022 Akademia Music Award and 2023 Hall of Fame Inductee, Best Instrumentalist of the 2023 and 2024 InterContinental Music Awards, and the CL Shaddock Award of the 2023 Mississippi Music Awards. She was a 2022 Native American Music Awards nominee, a 2023 and 2024 Josie Music Awards nominee, and is a Featured Artist on Kirsten Copley’s 2023 GRAMMY® nominated CD “Aquamarine.” Her most recent Album “Remembrance and Renewal” just received the World Entertainment Award for “Best Classical Album” 2025.
As a concert soloist, she performed in Europe, Asia, Australia, and the U.S., including Wigmore Hall in London, Jubilee Hall in Singapore, Bradley Hall in Chicago, and multiple times Carnegie Recital Hall in New York, with another upcoming performance in July.
Among her 20+ albums are premiere recordings of David Maslanka’s Cello Concerto “Remember Me” and Carter Pann’s Cello Concerto “High Songs” both with UCO Wind Symphony under conductor Dr. Brian Lamb.
Dr. Remy earned her DMA and MM from the University of Southern California and her Artist Diploma (terminal degree) from the Musikhochschule Koeln, Germany. She studied with Boris Pergamenschikow, Eleonore Schoenfeld, Lynn Harrell, and Jacqueline du Pre.
Tess was a Visiting Scholar and Performance Fellow at Harvard University 2010-2012. Previously, she was tenured faculty at James Cook University, Australia. Currently, she is Professor for Cello and cofounder of the Brisch Center for Historical Performance at UCO. https://www3.uco.edu/centraldirectory/profiles/5999
Marilyn Govich, During her decades of teaching at UCO, Marilyn Govich, DMA, has performed recitals, solos with orchestra, and professionally in musical theatre and film. She has received awards for her research/creative activity and service, most recently the UCO Modeling the Way Award. Of greatest importance to her are the awards for teaching and she is more than proud of her students who have become outstanding teachers and those who have performed in Europe, China, Japan and Canada, on Broadway (including her daughter and son), on Broadway national tours, cruise ships and numerous regional theaters.
David Forbat is a professor of piano at UCO, where he has taught since 2005. Earlier, he served on the faculties of Geneva College, the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie-Mellon University, and William Carey University. His degrees in piano performance are from the Peabody Conservatory (DMA), the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (MM) and the University of Southern California (BM). His principal teachers were Ann Schein, Claude Frank, Frank Weinstock, and John Perry.
His performance schedule includes solo recitals, lecture recitals, concerto performances, and collaborations with faculty colleagues. In recent years, he has performed and conducted masterclasses at several universities and conservatories in China. In 2022, the UCO College of Fine Arts and Design presented him with the Vanderford Distinguished Teaching Award.
Forbat advocates for the integration of music theory and keyboard learning and dedicates himself to building music literacy and functional skill in developing musicians of all ages.
Logan Hobart is a Strategic Communication major and is studying Music Composition. As away to fuel this passion for music he established his own independent music company: Scary Clown Productions, LLC. His ultimate goal is to compose for film and television as a career.
He has been involved with the UCO Film Club, in which he composed the music for a short film entitled “The Woods” in the fall semester of 2023. Additionally, he has both written for and been featured in The Vista for his musical work. After graduating, Logan hopes to break into the music industry and to use his design experience for a creative role in advertising. He plans to take full advantage of this expertise by using it to promote himself and his music, all of which can be heard on major streaming services such as Apple Music and Spotify. Despite being born with cerebral palsy, Logan encourages others with disabilities to look to the future and focus less on their disabilities and more on their abilities.
Program Notes “The Mirror”
After some time taking Applied Composition lessons with Dr. Sam Magrill and writing a piano piece, we began discussing possible next steps. When Dr Magrill told me he wanted to test my ability to write for a solo instrument, I must admit I was quite apprehensive at first. However, as soon as I got stuck into the writing process, the idea came to me nearly instantaneously. This piece, commissioned by Dr. Tess for solo cello aptly named “The Mirror” explores the idea of reflection both literally and figuratively. There are many points throughout the piece which use the motif of taking musical phrases, playing them forward and then flipping them backwards into the opposite direction. The seemingly random occurrences of sixteenth note rhythms are meant to represent beams of light bouncing off of reflective surfaces in all directions. Initially inspired by the work of composer Austin Wintory and much more percussive Victorian style playing, the piece eventually morphed into something more lyrical and pensive, taking advantage of the vast dynamic range and versatility of the cello itself. I invite my audience to reflect on an emotional level as they listen, in an attempt to center themselves amidst a world of many chaotic fragments. Thanks again for the continuous support of Dr. Magrill and thank you to Dr. Tess for playing my work.
Ben Davis was born in Oklahoma City. He received his Bachelor of Piano Performance with Honors from Oklahoma City University where he studied with Ernestine Scott. He undertook graduate studies in piano performance at Wichita State University with Robert Roux (now retired Head of the Piano Department at Rice University, Houston).
In the past, Ben had been the pianist of the Ostromensky Trio. He also performed major repertoire for piano trio with Dan Waters, Co-Principal Cellist in the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra at the time, and Lacy McLairy, their Principal concert master. In more recent years, he has also performed the Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky Piano Trios and the Rachmaninoff and Chopin Cello Sonatas with Cellist Tess Remy-Schumacher.
Now retired, Ben was a well sought-after piano technician in the Oklahoma City Metro area and was on staff at the University of Central Oklahoma for many years.
Samuel Magrill, D.M.A., is coordinator of graduate studies, professor of music and composer-in-residence in the School of Music at the University of Central Oklahoma, where he has taught music theory and composition since 1988.
Magrill is a prolific composer who has written for piano, chamber ensembles, choral groups, opera, wind ensemble, and symphony orchestra. His works have been performed throughout the United States and abroad and at many regional and national conferences. His recordings include electro-acoustic music, operas, wind symphony compositions, and collections of music for cello and other instruments, many of which he wrote specifically for his colleague Dr. Tess Remy-Schumacher and the UCO Cello Ensemble. In the fall of 2023, he received a “Modeling the Way” award from the University of Central Oklahoma. In 2024 he became a member of the Recording Academy.
Program Notes “Lullaby for Two”
On February 16, 2024, my daughter, Talia Magrill, gave birth to identical twins—Harrison Hyde Bachman and Robert Lovund Bachman. Sometime in 2023, cellist Tess Remy asked me to write a duet for pianist Margaret Brisch and herself. I had already written “Lullaby for Leo” in honor of my other grandchild, so I was ready to embark on another lullaby adventure.
Writing a lullaby is a conundrum. On one hand, a lullaby should put one to sleep. However, if you are writing music, you want people to stay awake and listen to it.
How do I write a lullaby for two identical twins? Even though they are identical, they are different people. I thought of interplay between the piano and cello, writing two distinctive melodies, have the accompaniment in two different keys simultaneously, presenting the melody in different octaves, alternating arco and pizzicato in the cello, and alternating upward and downward melody motion.
“Lullaby for Two” was written for two performers–Margaret Brisch and Tess Remy and for two babies– Harrison and Robert.
Margaret Brisch completed a BA in Music as a piano performance major at Park Colle, Kansas City MO.Since that time she has earned a Masters in Elementary Education rom the University of Kansas and a Doctorate in Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska. After retiring from teachin elementary school in 2001, she has taught piano to many beginning students, accompanied middle and high school students at Contests and performed with chamber groups at UCO.
GRAMMY®-winner Danaë Xanthe Vlasse is a half-French, half-Greek composer living in Los Angeles since 2005. Her music encompasses art song, chamber music, and works for solo piano, along with orchestral and choral pieces. She has released 6 albums of her original music and collaborated on many more. Her most recent album – MYTHOLOGIES II – was recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios. MYTHOLOGIES II was GRAMMY®-nominated for Best Classical Compendium.
Mrs. Vlasse’s music has been recorded by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and performed by influential award-winning pianists, such as GRAMMY®-winning pianist Nadia Shpachenko, Robert Thies, and Mina Perry. Champions of her music include GRAMMY®-winning sopranos Hila Plitmann and Sangeeta Kuar, GRAMMY®-winning flutist Wouter Kellerman, GRAMMY®-winning cellist Éru Matsumoto, Long Beach Symphony principal cellist Cecilia Tsan, Los Angeles Opera cellists John Walz, and Charles Tyler, Los Angeles Philharmonic violinist Mischa Lefkowitz, GRAMMY®-winning violinist Lili Haydn and genre-bending sensation, Caroline Campbell. Mrs. Vlasse enjoys writing choral works, and was the 2019 Composer in Residence for the Sterling Ensemble choir.
David Wilcox, the director and choreographer of the Long Beach Ballet, along with ballerina Aitana Jordan, and figure-skater Madeline Stammen (of “Cirque Du Soleil”) have also incorporated Danaë’s music into their work.
When asked what inspires her music, Danaë is quick to respond:
“My need to create is so profound that I would keep writing even if no one ever heard a note of my music, but my creative goals are very precise in what I hope to bring to listeners; Beauty, Truth, & Elevation!”
Rachel Darvin is a collaborative pianist at the University of Central Oklahoma and Oklahoma Christian University, where she is gaining experience playing for voice and instrumental lessons and juries, as well as various shows. She is currently obtaining her Master of Music in Collaborative Piano from UCO and is set to graduate this spring. She studies with Dr. Sallie Pollack. Her undergraduate degree is in Piano Performance with an emphasis in Pedagogy from Oklahoma Baptist University, where she studied with Dr. Michael Dean. She has participated in masterclasses with Alan and Alvin Chow, Abigail Mace, Amy I-Lin Cheng, pianists, and Douglas Knehans, composer. Ms. Darvin had the honor of twice performing with the OBU orchestra in their Concerto-Aria Competition, in 2020 and 2021. She also plays piano for her local church.
Meryl Geib earned her Bachelors of Music degree with distinction from the School of Music at the University of Nebraska. Her primary teachers include Dr. Tess Remy-Schumacher, Dr. Karen Becker, and Dr. Elizabeth Morrow. Mrs. Geib has played in orchestras, chamber groups, and early music ensembles throughout the USA and tours to Australia and Germany. Currently, she performs with Trio Antiqua, Brisch Center for Historical Performance, Geib Musik Duo, Dyberry Creek Music Festival and Painted Sky Opera. As an educator, Mrs. Geib is an active member and past president of the American String Teachers Association Oklahoma Chapter and currently maintains a large private studio. Her students have participated in the North Central Honors Orchestra, All-OMEA Orchestra, Oklahoma Youth Orchestras and the Oklahoma City Philharmonic’s Society of Strings. Mrs. Geib was awarded 2019 ASTA-OK Teacher of the Year for her contribution to Oklahoma string education.
Steve Fraser, since moving back to Oklahoma in 2012, has been a member of the various symphony orchestras, including the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Orchestra, Lawton (OK) Philharmonic Orchestra, the Fort Smith (Arkansas) Symphony Orchestra and the Enid (OK) Symphony Orchestra. While living in Fairfax, Virginia, he was a member of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra.
Steve has forty-six years of conducting and teaching experience in the public schools in the states of California, Oklahoma and Virginia. His middle and high school orchestras consistently received Superior ratings at festival/contest. His high school orchestras in each of the three states he taught, presented honor performances at the state music educators conferences: CMEA (1988), OMEA (2001) and VMEA (2005).
Steve Fraser was the professor of cello at UCO preceding Dr. Tess. She was very grateful that he had established such a great cello class!
Lyrics
Gestillte Sehnsucht/ Friedrich Rückert
In goldnen Abendschein getauchet,
Wie feierlich die Wälder stehn!
In leise Stimmen der Vöglein hauchet
Des Abendwindes leises Wehn.
Was lispeln die Winde, die Vögelein?
Sie lispeln die Welt in Schlummer ein.
Ihr Wünsche, die ihr stets euch reget
Im Herzen sonder Rast und Ruh!
Du Sehnen, das die Brust beweget,
Wann ruhest du, wann schlummerst du?
Beim Lispeln der Winde, der Vögelein,
Ihr sehnenden Wünsche, wann schlaft ihr ein?
Ach, wenn nicht mehr in goldne Fernen
Mein Geist auf Traumgefieder eilt,
Nicht mehr an ewig fernen Sternen
Mit sehnendem Blick mein Auge weilt;
Dann lispeln die Winde, die Vögelein
Mit meinem Sehnen mein Leben ein.
Assuaged longing/ English translation © Richard Stokes
Bathed in golden evening light,
How solemnly the forests stand!
The evening winds mingle softly
With the soft voices of the birds.
What do the winds, the birds whisper?
They whisper the world to sleep.
But you, my desires, ever stirring
In my heart without respite!
You, my longing, that agitates my breast –
When will you rest, when will you sleep?
The winds and the birds whisper,
But when will you, yearning desires, slumber?
Ah! when my spirit no longer hastens
On wings of dreams into golden distances,
When my eyes no longer dwell yearningly
On eternally remote stars;
Then shall the winds, the birds whisper
My life – and my longing – to sleep
Geistliches Wiegenlied/ Emanuel Geibel
Die ihr schwebet
Um diese Palmen
In Nacht und Wind,
Ihr heil’gen Engel,
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
Ihr Palmen von Bethlehem
Im Windesbrausen,
Wie mögt ihr heute
So zornig sausen!
O rauscht nicht also!
Schweiget, neiget
Euch leis’ und lind;
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
Der Himmelsknabe
Duldet Beschwerde,
Ach, wie so müd’ er ward
Vom Leid der Erde.
Ach nun im Schlaf ihm
Leise gesänftigt
Die Qual zerrinnt,
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein Kind.
Grimmige Kälte
Sauset hernieder,
Womit nur deck’ ich
Des Kindleins Glieder!
O all ihr Engel,
Die ihr geflügelt
Wandelt im Wind,
Stillet die Wipfel!
Es schlummert mein kind.
A sacred cradle-song/ English translation © Richard Stokes
You who hover
Around these palms
In night and wind,
You holy angels,
Silence the tree-tops!
My child is sleeping.
You palms of Bethlehem
In the raging wind,
Why do you bluster
So angrily today!
O roar not so!
Be still, lean
Calmly and gently over us;
Silence the tree-tops!
My child is sleeping.
The heavenly babe
Suffers distress,
Oh, how weary He has grown
With the sorrows of this world.
Ah, now that in sleep
His pains
Are gently eased,
Silence the treetops!
My child is sleeping.
Fierce cold
Blows down on us,
With what shall I cover
My little child’s limbs?
O all you angels,
Who wing your way
On the winds,
Silence the tree-tops!
My child is sleeping.
Danaë Xanthe Vlasse/ Revêrie for Cello and Piano
Original Poem
A pale color
She lays on earth;
She invades me!
The moon envelops me gently in a dream.
Shadows of wolves,
On her face play!
Her eyes throw a wink to the owls’ nest.
Breaths of wind,
Passing in foreground;
Clouds like brides in white veils.
Dancing over there…
The infinit roof,
A ceiling stretched like lace over the stars!
The moon watches over
Those who awaken
Conscious of the rain that unites oceans and
heavens.
Clouds of winter.
Ships of glass.
On the estuary are whirlwinds and lightening!
Mythologies
Encircle her life,
Always facing the world in ode and magic!
The moon envelops me gently, so gently,
gently in a dream.