Limestone’s Dr. Michael Langer To Present Faculty Solo Piano Recital On September 17

Limestone University faculty member Dr. Michael Langer will present his solo piano recital “Hope In Darkness” on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m., at the Carroll School of Fine Arts.

The program by Langer, who is an Assistant Professor of Piano and Theory and Music Program Coordinator, will contemplate how faith is tested through adversity.

“This concert will appeal to anyone who enjoys good music that is interesting,” Langer said. “The theme of ‘Hope in Darkness’ draws a connection between these works that highlights the adversity of each composer and displays how creating musical art works was the way they coped with the difficulties of life and expressed their own faith. I hope that audience members find inspiration in this program and walk away feeling their own faith strengthened.”

The concert will open with music by Florence Price, the first Black female composer to have a symphony premiered by a major American orchestra. Her 1929 work “Fantasie Negre” is based on the spiritual “Sinner, Please Don’t Let this Harvest Pass” and comes from a time in her life when she escaped racial violence in Arkansas for opportunities in Chicago.

Next will be a set of pieces by the French composer Olivier Messiaen. His "Twenty Contemplations on the Infant Jesus" was composed just after his release from a German prisoner of war camp and while living in Nazi-occupied Paris. These pieces use fascinating modern techniques, and each one is a reflection upon the Christ child from different perspectives such as the cross, the star, and the Virgin Mary.

The program closes with one of the monuments of classical music: Ludwig van Beethoven's Sonata No. 23 known as the “Appassionata.” In 1805, Beethoven was struggling with increasing deafness. As the world closed off to him and he lost the ability to hear his own music, an internal struggle raged within him. Langer said he believes you can hear that battle for hope amidst tragedy in his music.

Langer teaches music courses, directs the Jazz Ensemble, and serves as Music Program accompanist. Previous to his move to South Carolina, he lived in North Dakota, where he taught at the University of Mary, North Dakota State University, Bismarck State College, and Dickinson State University. He serves on the board of the South Carolina Music Teachers Association.

He has presented at the NCMTA state conference and has upcoming presentations at the WVMTA state conference and MTNA national conference in Minnesota. Langer holds degrees in Music Education from the University of Mary, a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Boise State University, and a Doctor of Music Arts in Piano Performance and Master of Music in Theory Pedagogy from North Dakota State University.