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Piano Music of Gottschalk, performed by Rollin Wilber for Academy of Natural Sciences museum show ![]() NOTE: THIS MUSEUM EVENT RAN THROUGH MAY 3, 2009. (SCROLL DOWN to hear the musical selections performed) From the desk of Rollin Wilber: I recently finished a recording project for THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA, for their special show "Hadrosaurus foulkii: The Dinosaur that Changed the World" (running from November, 2008 through May 3, 2009). I recorded six selections of piano music by Louis Moreau Gottschalk, as fitting the ethnic and time era of the dinosaur's discovery and exhibition. The show examines the event sociologically more than scientifically, and is fun to see, with the reproduced Hadrosaur dramatically posed and life-sized in the middle of the room. The Academy is located at 19th Street and the Parkway in Philadelphia, near the Franklin Institute. Link to the show: http://www.ansp.org/hadrosaurus/index.php Museum Hours - Monday-Friday: 10 am - 4:30 pm Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays: 10 am - 5 pm Closed: Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year's Day admission runs $8-10 These piano compositions by Louis Moreau Gottschalk were well-known "parlor music" pieces from the mid 1800's. As these men of science were creating and promoting their Hadrosaur, they may have listened to this music, perhaps hearing it played by the beloved Gottschalk himself at a Philadelphia concert. They lend an ambience authentic to this era of our history. It is enjoyable, melodic, well-written music (The Dying Poet became one of the most popular salon pieces in America). What you will hear playing there (YOU CAN LISTEN TO THEM, BY SCROLLING DOWN) MUSIC BY LOUIS MOREAU GOTTSCHALK, American pianist and composer during the mid 1800's "The Banjo" - grotesque fantasy, American sketch "Le Bananier" - chanson negre "The Dying Poet" - meditation "Pasquinade" - caprice "Le Mancenillier" - serenade "Souvenir of Puerto Rico" - march of the gibaros "PASQUINADE" - caprice "LE BANANIER" (The Banana Tree) - chanson negre "THE DYING POET" - meditation "THE BANJO" - a grotesque fantasy "LE MANCENILLIER" - serenade "SOUVENIR DE PUERTO RICO" - march of the gibaros |