Beloved Minnesota author Bill Holm died in 2009. His iconic poem “Playing Haydn for the Angel of Death” is the text for a new song cycle by Minnesota composer Martha Helen Schmidt. Performances with baritone Ryan Hugh Ross and pianist Daniel Rieppel (also Minnesota natives) take place this week and next in Minneota, Morris and St Paul. Steve Staruch spoke with Ryan Hugh Ross about Bill Holm, the poet’s larger-than-life presence and the new song cycle. Listen now.
Events
Performances of Martha Helen Schmidt’s Playing Haydn for the Angel of Death are being held across the state this week and next:
Friday, Sept. 8 (celebrating the 80th birthday of Bill Holm), at 7 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, Minneota.
Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 7:30 p.m., University of Minnesota Morris.
Friday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m., Fingal’s Cave-MetroNOME Brewery, St. Paul.
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