Robert DeBroeck
Staff Writer
FROM THE DAYS of Bach and Mozart through modern times, there is a long tradition in Western society of praising God through music in a concert setting.
The DeBartolo Performing Arts Center will host such an event on Friday, October 19, in which not one, but four choirs and the Notre Dame Orchestra will join together with the Dave Brubeck Quartet to praise God and to pay honor to the patroness of our University. Combining their talents, Notre Dame’s Liturgical Choir, Women’s Liturgical Choir, Chorale, Glee Club and Orchestra will be performing five new original works by the legendary Dave Brubeck.
Dave Brubeck studied music at the College of the Pacific from 1938-1942. Temporarily setting aside his studies to serve in the United States Army until the end of World War II, he led a service band under General Patton’s command. After completing his musical studies at Mills College, Brubeck trained under Darius Milhaud, who encouraged him to play jazz. Brubeck started an octet, and later a trio with fellow students, and began experimenting with poly-tonality (playing in 2 keys at once) and unusual time signatures. Forming the Dave Brubeck Quartet in the early 50s with Paul Desmond, Joe Dodge (replaced later by Joe Morello) and Eugene Wright, Brubeck created such classics as “Unsquare Dance,” “Blue Rondo a la Turk,” “Pick Up Sticks.” In addition to writing these rhythmically challenging songs, Brubeck made famous Paul Desmond’s world-famous tune “Take Five.”
After the Quartet broke up in 1967 and a brief 25th anniversary reunion in ’76, Brubeck formed another ensemble with Perry Robinson and three of Brubeck’s own sons, all of whom are skilled musicians in their own right. To this day, father and sons (now including a fourth son) perform together from time to time.
Having experienced a spiritual awakening due to the events of World War II, Dave Brubeck’s music had, for years, been tinged by spiritual influences. After completing a musical setting of the Mass entitled “To Hope,” Brubeck’s spiritual journey led to his conversion to Catholicism in 1980, nearly 40 years after the war. As an example of an accomplished and beloved American Catholic musician, Brubeck was awarded the Notre Dame Laetare medal - the University’s oldest and most prestigious honor for Catholics - at the 2006 commencement ceremony. At the ceremony, he requested to perform some of his religious music, composed in honor of Our Lady. It is with great joy that Notre Dame will welcome back a great musician, proud father, and devout son of the Church.
Contact Robert at rdebroec@nd.edu.
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