Contact:
Teresa S. Thomas
412-268-3580

For immediate release:
November 1, 2002

Lawrence Kramer Discusses the Role of Classical Music on Nov. 14 at Carnegie Mellon

Pittsburgh—Lawrence Kramer, professor of English and music at Fordham University, author of several articles and six books, and co-editor of the journal, 19th Century Music, will explore music's consoling role for post-September 11 audiences in a lecture titled, "Crisis and Memory: The Music of Lost Time." The lecture will take place at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 14, on the Carnegie Mellon University campus in the Adamson Wing of Baker Hall, room 136A.

Despite classical music's waning cultural ground, Kramer says symphony orchestras have successfully reached and inspired American audiences over the past year. Kramer will explore how classical music meets the needs of American audiences after Sept. 11, 2001, by referring to Beethoven's "Pastoral" Symphony, composed in the midst of political and military disaster. Kramer will trace the "Pastoral" and its expressive model throughout the 20th century. He will also focus on the roles of music in film, television and concert halls.

Carnegie Mellon's Center for the Arts in Society and School of Music are hosting Kramer's visit.

This lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Tim Haggerty at 412-268-6211.