JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippian and renowned concert pianist Bruce Levingston sits down for an interview with Marshall Ramsey on a new episode of “Conversations” airing December 11 at 7:30 p.m. on MPB TV.
Aside from being a world-class pianist and composer, Levingston also has a deep appreciation for other fine arts, especially Mississippi artists like painter Marie Hull. Levingston is the guest curator of a major exhibition of Hull’s works at the Mississippi Museum of Art. He also wrote a book chronicling the life and work of Marie Hull, titled Bright Fields: The Mastery of Marie Hull.
In this episode of “Conversations,” Levingston talks about growing up in Mississippi, the road to stardom as a gifted musician, the Hull exhibit and his appreciation of the Summit native’s profound visual artistry.
“When I was a little boy there were quite a few works of hers in the Delta,” said Levingston in the interview. “But I was also fascinated on my own by this kind of amazing color and the way she would make her strokes. They came alive on the canvas. They seemed very lyrical and musical and in fact, once she said ‘I’m a lyrical, romantic kind of painter.’”
This episode marks the return of “Conversations” to MPB’s airwaves after an eight-year hiatus. A full season of “Conversations” will begin airing in 2016, but because of the timeliness of the Hull exhibit and Levingston’s pride in it, this segment will air early as a sneak peak.
“Conversations” allows accomplished Mississippians (as well as those outside our state) to share their stories, dreams, triumphs and even a few disappointments they faced along the way. Political cartoonist and MPB radio host Marshall Ramsey hosts the series, which launches its regular season in 2016. You can look forward to other great “Conversations” with Governor William and Elise Winter, American filmmaker Ken Burns, Actress Anjuanue Ellis, TV Executive Sam Haskell, musician Paul Thorn and many others.
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Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) provides educational and public affairs programming to Mississippians through its statewide television and radio network. MPB enhances the work of educators, students, parents and learners of all ages by providing informative programming and educational resources. MPB’s locally-produced programming focuses on the people, resources and attractions that reflect Mississippi’s unique culture and diverse heritage. Children’s television programs constitute a major portion of the daytime and weekend morning schedules. MPB provides a valuable resource to Mississippians in disseminating information as part of the state’s emergency preparedness and response system. Since 1970, MPB has won over 400 national, regional and statewide awards, including Emmy®, Edward R. Murrow and Parents’ Choice® Awards. For more information on MPB, its programs, mission or educational resources, please visit www.mpbonline.org.
