|
news |
News
UPCOMING
Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, TX
Davies Symphony Hall, San Francisco
RECENT Television Broadcast: Orozco: Man of Fire Museum Screening: Orozco: Man of Fire San Francisco Faculty Artists Series Sunday, November 11th, 5PM Famous, a new opera in progress a workshop presentation of the music Famous presents a series of impression from the life of Isabelle Dufresne ("UltraViolet" in Andy Warhol's Factory), in eight scenes that are intended to convey something of the spirit of her development from her childhood in France through her encounters with Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, and Edie Sedgwick in America, to her return to her family, where she has a transformative encounter with her own past and with the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. Friday, December 14th, 8PM THE NINE MUSES - for SATB chorus, SATB soloists, piano four-hands, percussion (two players) "The Nine Muses" was commissioned by the American Choral Directors Association Endowment in memory of Raymond W. Brock. The work was premiered by the University of Miami Frost Chorale, Jo-Michael Scheibe, conductor, at their National Convention in Miami, Florida on March 8th, 2007. The inspiration for “The Nine Muses” came from my desire to write a work about the Transfiguring power of art, to fulfill the Raymond Brock commission for the ACDA National Convention. I turned for a text to my frequent collaborator, the poet John Stirling Walker, who had written the texts for my works “Elegy for Matthew” in memory of Matthew Shepard, and “September Sun,” a 9/11 memorial piece. The challenge was to compose a single-movement work, lasting about fifteen minutes, that, like the nine stanza poem, holds together as one thought from beginning to end. One way I was able to express the unique character of each Muse was through contrasting choral and vocal solo textures. This design served to complement the work’s unfolding trajectory towards its two climaxes: the declaration that “It is the hour” for humanity to receive the blessings that have been earned through its collective suffering, and the admonition that only the “daring passion” of the courageous will suffice to vanquish the remaining opposition to these blessings. AMERICA TROPICAL - an opera in one act commissioned and premiered by Thick Description Theater Company, San Francisco In an act of creation that is both galvanizing and dangerous, the Mexican artist Siqueiros creates a mural for the 1932 Olympics that places a mirror up to the city of Los Angeles, reflecting both its past and future -- from its founding in 1781 by a band of Pobladores from Mexico, to its near self-destruction in the riots of 1992. Through the interconnected stories of original city founder Moreno and George Holliday, who witnessed the savage beating of Rodney King (just as Siqueiros is witness with his paint brush), we see and feel the crises of a city continually caught between its lofty goals and coarse realities. Whitewashed in 1932, Siqueiros' painted mural image of the Crucified India refuses to stay erased and ghosts through, descending from the cross to offer redemption and blessings to Angelinos across the centuries. The India exists alongside the Queen of the Angels (namesake of the City) as a witness to injustice, and as a totem of the hopes and dreams of its people – signifying more than Siqueiros could have dreamed possible.
"Three Mystical Hymns" was commissioned by Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, for the 2007 Regional Convention of the American Guild of Organists, held in Atlanta, GA, and in celebration of the College’s 110th Anniversary (1897-2007). The premiere performances were given by the Cathedral Choir of the Cathedral of St. Philip, Bruce Neswick, conductor, and the Chancel Choir of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, Scott Atchison, conductor, and during the 2007-2008 concert season, by the Piedmont College Chamber Singers, Dr. Wallace Hinson, conductor. "Three Mystical Hymns" is based on poems by Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672), and Edward Taylor (1642-1729), two early New England poets whose work has a markedly mystical, even metaphysical character. The first hymn, "By Night When Others Soundly Slept", is set in a moderate triple meter in Eb minor, and suggests both the reverence and the mystery of prayers offered in the dark of night. The second Hymn, "Infinity," brightens to Eb Major. The text of this hymn is taken from a long poem entitled "The Preface", and speaks of wonder in the face of God’s powers of creation. This hymn is composed in a more elaborate motet style, and is best performed unaccompanied. The third hymn, "In Heaven Soaring Up", set in a stately C major, describes the joy of riding to Heaven in “God’s coach.” "Three Mystical Hymns" are designed to be performed as a set, but also may be performed separately. NEW PUBLICATIONS E.C. Schirmer Music Company The Snow Lay On The Ground SATB with harp and organ or piano "Many of us know he lovely Sowerby setting, and now it is great to have another one. David Conte keeps the 6/8 rhythm but has created a new melody that has a lit and grace that makes it most attractive. There are also arrangements for SSAA and TTBB." Snow Lay on the Ground, The, #6419, (SATB, harp & keyboard), [Christmas], $2.05 click to listen
|