Friday, February 9 | 7:30 PM | Main Church & Online
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Written in 1975, The People United Will Never Be Defeated is the preeminent piece of piano music written by a contemporary American composer. Based on the Chilean socialist protest song of the same name and known for its extreme technical difficulty and intense emotional display, it seeks to portray the oppression of the Chilean people during the Pinochet regime while also depicting the difficulty that comes with any social change. Matthew Phelps is a pianist and conductor based in Nashville, Tennessee. He is the Director of Music at West End United Methodist Church while also enjoying a diverse performing career. He is the founder and artistic director of the professional chamber choir Vocal Arts Nashville, the artistic director of the early and new music ensemble Collegium Cincinnati, and the pianist for the Elliston Trio which has performed throughout the nation. He is a frequent recitalist known for his performances of Rzewski’s music, and has won numerous awards as a pianist, conductor, and organist. A former resident of New York City and member of St. Francis Xavier, he is pleased to be returning for this performance.