Marion natives Tidwell and Hoch combine pipes, voice for recital
Opera sung by soprano Beverly Hoch complements the organ played by Burton Tidwell as part of the Rie Bloomfield Organ Series at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 12, in Wiedemann Recital Hall at Wichita State University.
Tidwell and Hoch, who were childhood friends, are natives of Marion.
The program includes Paul Hindemith's Sonta for Organ and Louis Vierne's "Les Angélus, Op. 57," Jehan le Povre Moyne's poetry set to music describing the Angélus bell that rings at dawn, midday, and dusk. Other works in the program are Psalm Prelude, Set 2, No. 3 by Herbert Howels; "Pastorale" by Jean-Julies-Aimable Roger-Ducasse; "Beloved, Let Us Love," the song's text is based on I John 4:7,8 by Proulx; and Symphony for Organ "Passacaglia" by Leo Sowerby.
Although his early years were spent in Marion, Tidwell lived in Caldwell during most of his school years. Tidwell received a bachelor of music degree in organ in 1973 from the University of Kansas, studying with James Moeser. He also completed graduate studies in journalism at KU in 1997.
He began work in pipe organ building while pursuing his undergraduate degree and has since been involved in various aspects of the creation of more than 250 pipe organs across the United States.
Tidwell has performed numerous recitals across the United States. He recently returned to Marion after living in suburban Philadelphia.
He received a grant in 1999 from the prestigious Clarence and Ruth Mader Scholarship Fund in Los Angeles. The grant is being used toward Tidwell's book documenting the work of the late Lawrence Phelps, a pivotal figure in North American organ building during the last half of the 20th century.
Hoch studied for four years at Friends University, but received her bachelor of music degree from Oklahoma City University. She returned to Wichita and completed her master's of music degree at WSU in 1978, studying voice with George Gibson, now professor emeritus. She performed in many WSU opera and Music Theatre of Wichita productions.
She moved to New York after winning the Metropolitan Opera Regional Award and conducted her career there until a move to Texas and her marriage five years ago to jazz artist Michael Steinel, professor at the University of Northern Texas.
Hoch teaches voice at Texas Woman's University in Denton.
Hoch's vast orchestral repertoire includes appearances with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center comprising a national tour and two Alice Tully Hall concerts with André Watts and David Shifrin as well as two Tully concerts with pianist Charles Wadsworth and baritone Christopheren Nomura.
The soprano of the distinguished Bach Aria Group, she is especially esteemed for her interpretations of this composer's works. She also is much sought after for Orff's "Carmina Burana," which she recorded with Charles Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony for Decca and performed with Dutoit and the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Hoch has performed at famous concert halls around the world: Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Halls, London's Royal Albert & Royal Festival Halls, and the Kennedy Center, to name a few.
She has sung principal roles with the Washington and Arizona Operas and earned particular acclaim two consecutive seasons as Adele in the Strasbourg Opera's "Die Fledermaus."
Her discography includes "The Art of the Coloratura," Handel's "Imeneo," Mozart's "Die Zauberflote," and "With Pipes and Voices" featuring Tidwell.
She participated in a "Messiah" performance in Bethlehem, shown at the Cannes Film Festival.
Hoch's worldwide management is with Matthew Sprizzo.
