USDs Rawlins Piano Trio set to perform world premiere piece
Composed by Daniel Bernard Roumain of New York City, “Volvic Maritim” combines Roumain’s love of traditional classical and chamber music with the flair for reggae and modern rock. According to Larry Schou, D.M.A., associate dean of the College of Fine Arts at USD, the world premiere performance of “Volvic Maritim” is an exciting, innovative venture for the Rawlins Piano Trio, which began more than 20 years ago at USD.
“This is something that the Trio has never done before,” said Schou, who noted that Roumain was chosen for his reputation and style. “We’re very excited about the premiere because this is a new venture for them, but we’re hoping that this leads to more commissioned works in the future. Maybe this will become a signature part of the Trio down the road?”
The concert, which is free and open to the public, will also feature several familiar works by the Rawlins Piano Trio which, in the past, has focused on early American music from the late 1800s and early 1900s to more mainstream classical and chamber pieces. Named in honor of Marjorie and her husband, the late Robert Rawlins, significant supporters of USD and principal benefactors for the Trio’s inception, the Rawlins Piano Trio was formed in 1987 and has developed a reputation as a preeminent interpreter of American music. With violinist John Thomson, D.M.A., an associate professor of music; cellist Marie-Elaine Gagnon, D.M.A., assistant professor of music; and pianist Susan Keith Gray, D.M.A., associate professor of music; the Trio performs regularly throughout the United States and abroad, including an upcoming tour that will take the group to several cities in South Dakota as well as Taiwan this spring.
For more information about the Rawlins Piano Trio, please visit www.usd.edu/cfa/Music/rawlins.cfm. More information about composer Daniel Bernard Roumain is also available at www.dbrmusic.com/.