In May 2022 composer-pianist David Feurzeig embarked on "Play Every Town" -- 252 free concerts in each of Vermont's 252 towns to confront climate change through the power of community and music. With this project, Feurzeig will become the first musician to perform in every Vermont municipality. He is traveling in his solar-charged electric vehicle throughout the state, offering free concerts to bring attention to the interrelated issues of climate and community and to call into question the normality of long-distance touring and travel, while bringing the joy of music to his audiences.
He will perform in Moretown on December 9 at 3 p.m. at the Moretown Methodist Church. Admission is free and donations will benefit Friends of the Mad River.
"I want to support Vermont's local communities with live performance in village centers and downtowns while fulfilling UVM's mission to serve as a resource for the whole state," he said.
Feurzeig, a professor of music at UVM since 2008, specializes in genre-defying recitals that bring together the music of an astonishing variety of musical styles, from ancient and classical to jazz, avant-garde, and popular traditions.
Each program is locally tailored. In Moretown, cellist Suzanne Smith joins Feurzeig for a couple of pieces, including Saint-Saëns' beloved "The Swan." James P. Johnson's landmark tunes "Carolina Shout" and "Keep Off the Grass" mark the year 1922, the year the Methodist Church was remodeled in local birch and its Gulbransen upright was manufactured. Like every performance on the tour, this one will include its own unique Scarlatti keyboard sonata: Sonata no. 48 for this 48th concert in the project. By request of the presenters, in celebration of the winter holidays, there will be a handful of holiday sing-along songs. Other solo pieces will round out the program.
Feurzeig finds his approach attracts new audiences to so-called "classical" concerts and brings new insight to existing fans.
"Classical music culture puts the great composers on an almost religious pedestal. Once this was an indication of the audience's love and respect, but now it just distances people from the music. It turns away new listeners, who feel like they're in a stuffy museum instead of a live concert. Sure, the music can be serious, but there's no reason anyone should feel intimidated. If I don't get a laugh from the audience in the first two minutes, I get worried," he said.
Follow his journey on Instagram, find up-to-date events for each town via Facebook, or visit the website at PlayEveryTown.com.
Free admission with donations accepted to benefit Friends of the Mad River.
Contact: PlayEveryTown@gmail.com (802) 434-3819 http://www.PlayEveryTown.comFacebook: playeverytownVT
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