Music duo reunites for concert

UTM’s Department of Music presented a guest piano duo on Nov. 1, 2012 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Martin, Tenn.

The duo, Melody Jenkins Fried and David Smyth, performed the same program 35 years ago on Nov. 1, 1977.  Fried and Smyth are alumni of UTM.  They were under the direction of Dr. Allison Nelson during their years at UTM.  Fried and Smyth dedicated the performance to the professor.

After a recent meeting in New York, the duo decided it was time to come back to UTM, so they returned to perform together once again. 

After leaving UTM, Fried received a master’s in piano performance and accompanying from the University of Arizona.  She also received a doctorate in piano performance at the University of Oklahoma.

When asked how she felt being back in Martin performing again, Fried said Martin seemed bigger than when she left, and she was happy to see the beautiful campus once again.

“I feel welcomed,” Fried said.

Smyth received his bachelor’s of piano performance from Indiana University.  Since then, he has taught piano and is the organist and choir director at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in New Jersey. 

After the performance, Smyth said it felt good to be back in familiar surroundings. When asked how he felt about the performance, Smyth said, “I have a lot of respect for my 19-year-old self.”

Even after 35 years, this duo still has the ability to perform well together and put on a fantastic performance. 

Lindsey Vincent, a Music Education major from Bethel University, traveled to see the performance. 

“I am really enjoying this duet so far. They work well together,” said Vincent at the recital’s intermission.

The pieces in the performances were very interesting. There was some battling, accompanying and a building anticipation for the final piece.   

The program began with "Rondo alla Burlesca" by Benjamin Britten.  This piece was followed by the Sonate pour "Deux Pianos" by Francis Poulenc.

Fried and Smyth came back from the Intermission full of energy and ready to perform "Dance of the Adolescence" by Aaron Copland.

It was followed by seven pieces from "Mikrokosmos" by Bela Bartok.  These seven pieces left the audience with feelings from trivial to serene. 

The last work performed came from "Flamenqueris" by Carlos Surinach.  The final piece of this work, and the recital, let the audience know the end was near. 

After feeling many different emotions in the entire recital, the final piece left the audience with a sense of completeness. It let the audience know it was all over, but all is well.

Fried and Smyth coming together again proved to be a great success.