For nearly 20 years, musicians Andrew Cooperstock and William Terwilliger have traversed the globe championing classical music and the works of great American composers. Since September, the piano-violin duo has been crisscrossing the country and Colorado highlighting the work of 20th Century composer George Gershwin and striking a chord with seasoned and new audiences alike.
“With traditional classical audiences dwindling, there is a need for renewed engagement and a rethinking of the traditional approach,” said Cooperstock, professor of piano at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music. “With guided preparation in advance, an intelligent use of multimedia, commentary from the stage, increased interaction with concert-goers, and of course intriguing programming, concerts can attract new and diverse audiences.”
Cooperstock and violinist Terwilliger, from the University of South Carolina, specialize in performing, recording, and lecturing on American chamber music under the name “Opus Two.” They have been sharing their 75th-anniversary tribute to George Gershwin in the Boulder/Denver area, South Carolina, New York City, Texas, Minnesota, Indiana, Peru, Luxembourg, and beyond. With support from the CU-Boulder Outreach Committee, Opus Two brings their production to non-traditional venues, such as schools, libraries, senior residence homes, and children’s hospitals. The duo sends program notes, developed by CU-Boulder musicologist Thomas Riis, to each venue in advance as a study guide.
The unique multimedia program engages audiences with versions of some of Gershwin’s most famous works, including transcriptions from the opera Porgy and Bess, the composition An American in Paris, and the musical Girl Crazy. Commentary, video clips, and Gershwin-era photography accompany their performances.
In between pieces, the performers and professors describe the powerful legacy of Gershwin’s career, which was cut short in 1937 by a brain tumor at age 38. Still, Gershwin’s compositions continue to be adapted by modern musicians, and the power of his music is experiencing renewed reach thanks to the anniversary tribute. Opus Two will release a CD of the music highlighted in the program later this spring through Azica Records.
“George Gershwin is arguably the most important American crossover composer,” Cooperstock said. “He created iconic popular songs, jazz-inspired classical works, and even an African-American opera (in the 1930s).
“I have been intrigued by the music of Gershwin for some time, and I am glad to have the opportunity now to delve into this repertoire in depth and to share it with others.”