Spring Break
Roumain celebrates a confluence of greatness
Liz Connelly
Issue date: 2/13/09 Section: Focus
It is no small feat to be honored glowingly by The Australian, and Daniel Bernard Roumain achieved that feat recently when it proclaimed that he "does for amplified violin what Jimi Hendrix did for electric guitar."
With such praise, one goes into a show composed and performed by Mr. Roumain with high expectations.
At last night's show, Darwin's Meditation for the People of Lincoln, those expectations were not only met, but exceeded.
The musical composition was inspired both by President Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin, who were born on the same day only hours apart, exactly 200 years ago.
As Roumain researched the two men, he realized their many similarities, and he expressed these similarities in his music throughout the show.
The concert was part of UConn's participation in the Year of Science.
UConn, along with 400 other colleges, universities and assorted organizations, are joining to celebrate science for this entire year.
The show began with soft music, and an evocative speaker.
He spoke the thoughts of Darwin in a moving manner. As the concert progressed, the music became more dramatic, as did the words spoken and displayed on the screen in the background.
The combination of music, monologue and lighting made it hard to avoid emotional involvement in the show.
"I liked the show; it wasn't what I was expecting," said Roberto Henry, a 4th-semester biology major.
"I thought there would be more speaking going on but the music was really good and added to the feeling of the presentation."
One highlight of the performance was when Roumain himself took the spotlight.
In his amazing presentation, he showcased his passion for his work, as he danced to the music.
His passion was not only evident in his individual performance, but also apparent in every aspect of the show.
Each word spoken and each image shown on the screen had significance and feeling behind it.
One could truly sense Roumain's inspiration during the entire show.
"I thought the show was good," said Ankeet Bhatt, a 4th-semester biological sciences major. "Even though I couldn't understand the language of the songs, the lights and words on the projector screen gave feeling to the music, so it didn't matter what language they were singing."
As the show came to a close, Roumain played the piano and performed a moving rendition of "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."
With such praise, one goes into a show composed and performed by Mr. Roumain with high expectations.
At last night's show, Darwin's Meditation for the People of Lincoln, those expectations were not only met, but exceeded.
The musical composition was inspired both by President Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin, who were born on the same day only hours apart, exactly 200 years ago.
As Roumain researched the two men, he realized their many similarities, and he expressed these similarities in his music throughout the show.
The concert was part of UConn's participation in the Year of Science.
UConn, along with 400 other colleges, universities and assorted organizations, are joining to celebrate science for this entire year.
The show began with soft music, and an evocative speaker.
He spoke the thoughts of Darwin in a moving manner. As the concert progressed, the music became more dramatic, as did the words spoken and displayed on the screen in the background.
The combination of music, monologue and lighting made it hard to avoid emotional involvement in the show.
"I liked the show; it wasn't what I was expecting," said Roberto Henry, a 4th-semester biology major.
"I thought there would be more speaking going on but the music was really good and added to the feeling of the presentation."
One highlight of the performance was when Roumain himself took the spotlight.
In his amazing presentation, he showcased his passion for his work, as he danced to the music.
His passion was not only evident in his individual performance, but also apparent in every aspect of the show.
Each word spoken and each image shown on the screen had significance and feeling behind it.
One could truly sense Roumain's inspiration during the entire show.
"I thought the show was good," said Ankeet Bhatt, a 4th-semester biological sciences major. "Even though I couldn't understand the language of the songs, the lights and words on the projector screen gave feeling to the music, so it didn't matter what language they were singing."
As the show came to a close, Roumain played the piano and performed a moving rendition of "My Country, 'Tis of Thee."
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