Composer Bruce Adolphe’s suite of compositions inspired by the paintings of Paul Gauguin were beautifully performed by a sextet of local musicians on violin, cello, bass, flute, clarinet, and percussion. The pieces were interspersed with commentary by Adolphe – speaking on his own process of inspiration, and most interestingly, quotations from Gauguin’s own journals during his life in Tahiti.

The spoken segments and the musical performances were a beautiful way to explore Gauguin’s work and the thoughts that inspired him – as well as inspiring Adolphe to interpret his paintings musically. The pieces dealt with water, storms, and the stunning natural beauty that Gauguin found in Tahiti.

One of the conflicts that was described was between Gauguin and the French critics who continually denigrated his work. The painter’s contemporaries were completely unable to understand his work, criticizing his lack of perspective and formal technique, as well as his wild and unrealistic colors. Excerpts from Gauguin’s journals explained that he believed paintings had to be overly vivid, because they were so much smaller and more constrained than the nature they depicted.

The event only got more interesting when the lights went up and audience members were able to ask Adolphe questions. He explained the creative process behind his compositions, his other musical works inspired by the real world (pieces on dinosaurs, modern art, and even wind power), and his work bringing collaborative music education to schools across the country. He had even visited an Ithaca elementary school yesterday to discuss the pieces inspired by Gauguin with the students. He said that his book, which accompanies a CD of the pieces, can be used by elementary, middle, and high school students as well as adults to learn more about Gauguin and musical interpretation of art!