Trinity part-time professors of music Zachary Ridgway and BriAnne Woodward performed their recital, “Mystics,” on March 22 at 3 p.m. in the Ruth Taylor Recital Hall. The program’s works spanned contemporary, classical and multimedia traditions – all unified by Ridgway’s interest in “transcendental” music.

Ridgway curated the program and performed on piano, deriving inspiration from these transcendental compositions – ones that are intended to evoke heightened emotional or spiritual states. He invited Woodward, a voice instructor, to join the recital, who welcomed the opportunity to perform outside the classroom and present a repertoire that diverges from her typical teaching materials.

“I think it ties in beautifully to the state of our world at present. We’re all trying to seek understanding, and a lot of reality is confusing,” Woodward said. “Asking questions through music is a wonderful thing that we get to do daily. To share that with other people and have consideration for helping understand our human experience is how we get glimpses of things beyond us.”

The recital’s selections drew from a wide range of composers. Works included “To Zanarkand” from the “Final Fantasy” video game series, Einojuhani Rautavaara’s second piano sonata, op. 64, titled “Fire Sermon” — during which Ridgway used his elbows and fists to create a percussive, flame-like texture on the keys — and a traditional arrangement by Richard Strauss.

Trinity voice instructor Natalie Baker, who attended to support her colleagues, said the program’s variety created a cohesive listening experience. “I like it all together. It just kind of seamlessly blew from one to another,” Baker said.

Students in the audience shared similar impressions. Patricia McDonald, junior classical languages and ancient Mediterranean studies double-major, and Rose Simonson, junior music education major, both thought “Fire Sermon” was a standout. “Everything’s been a great selection, which I am not surprised about,” McDonald said.