American composer, conductor, horn player, author, historian, educator, publisher, and jazz musician
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Listen to the final episode in our three-part series celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of trombonist J.J. Johnson, one of the greatest jazz icons to emerge from Indianapolis. On this edition, we'll focus on Johnson's work in third stream music––a term coined by the conductor and composer Gunther Schuller in 1957 as a blend of classical and jazz music. Johnson was involved in the early development of third stream music and the genre left a lasting influence on his work. Johnson composed several important third steam works, including “Perceptions”, a composition for solo trumpet and large jazz orchestra. The piece was commissioned by the jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie and recorded for Verve Records in 1961. Hear excerpts from “Perceptions” and other third stream compositions by Johnson.
In this episode, Dave and Andrew discuss one of the composers Dave wishes he had met, Gunther Schuller. But does Schuller's winning work Of Reminiscences and Reflections live up to his high expectations? If you'd like more information about Gunther Schuller, we recommend: Schuller's autobiography, A Life in Pursuit of Music and Beauty The Gunther Schuller Society Read "The Compleat Musician in the Complete Conservatory" in Schuller's collection of essays, Musings.
WBCQ/The Planet airdate - 4/6/24 Interview conducted on 3/20/24 Welcome to Fluxedo Junction! Each episode we bring you the best music of all genres from throughout the world, and this week we'll be speaking with guitarist, record producer, composer, writer, and filmmaker David Starobin. David Starobin is a highly honored figure in the world of classical guitar. Called "arguably the most influential American classical guitarist of the 20th century by Soundboard magazine), Starobin was inducted into the Guitar Foundation of America's Hall of Fame in 2011, was awarded Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Career Award (in 1988), and is the dedicatee of more than three hundred new compositions including music by composers Elliott Carter, George Crumb, Poul Ruders and Gunther Schuller. A native of New York City. Starobin performs on both nineteenth century and modern guitars, and has received Grammy nominations as guitarist and as Classical Producer of the Year. In 1981, he founded Bridge Records, a record company which has been honored with 36 Grammy nominations. Starobin is a co-founder of the guitar department at the Curtis Institute of Music, and also teaches at Manhattan School of Music, where he was the holder of MSM's Andres Segovia Chair. Starobin studied guitar with Manuel Gayol, Alberto Valdes Blain and with Aaron Shearer at the Peabody Institute. His musical compositions are published by Editions New Rochelle (New York) and Edition Wilhelm Hansen (Copenhagen). His latest release on Bridge Records, Virtousi, is an homage to seven leading composer/guitarists of the past two centuries. Virtuosi presents eight previously unissued tracks, alongside remastered versions of five Starobin classics. More information is available at bridgerecords.com
Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with pianist Aaron Diehl about his recent recording of Mary Lou Williams' "Zodiac Suite," the influence of pianist and composer John Lewis, and his upcoming performance of music by Lewis, Gunther Schuller and others with members of the Chamber Music Society of Minnesota Sunday, April 7th at Sundin Hall on the campus of Hamline University in St. Paul..
Jazz88's Peter Solomon spoke with pianist Aaron Diehl about his recent recording of Mary Lou Williams' "Zodiac Suite," the influence of pianist and composer John Lewis, and his upcoming performance of music by Lewis, Gunther Schuller and others with members of the Chamber Music Society of Minnesota Sunday, April 7th at Sundin Hall on the campus of Hamline University in St. Paul..
fWotD Episode 2491: Blood on the Floor (Turnage) Welcome to featured Wiki of the Day where we read the summary of the featured Wikipedia article every day.The featured article for Thursday, 29 February 2024 is Blood on the Floor (Turnage).Blood on the Floor is a suite in nine movements composed for orchestra and jazz trio by Mark-Anthony Turnage. It was composed over a span of three years (1993–1996) after a commission from the Ensemble Modern—a German music group—to produce a piece for an evening jazz event in 1994. After the performance, Turnage expanded the piece into the larger nine movement suite that is now performed. During this period of composition, Turnage's brother Andrew died of a drug overdose, shaping the music greatly. As a result, drug culture is one of the main themes in the suite. Blood on the Floor also draws influences from the paintings of Francis Bacon and Heather Betts; the suite's title is an adaptation of Bacon's painting Blood on Pavement.Like other compositions by Turnage, Blood on the Floor incorporates elements of both classical and jazz music. Due to this, it has been described as being part of the "third stream" genre, a term coined by Turnage's former teacher Gunther Schuller. The suite is written as a concerto grosso and features a blend of classical, jazz, non-western and electronic instruments. As part of this fusion, the suite contains space for soloists to improvise in four of its movements. Blood on the Floor shows elements of non-functional harmony and has complex rhythmic changes, often changing metre every bar. Motifs are found recurring throughout the suite. Blood on the Floor was premiered by the Ensemble Modern at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, in May 1996. The suite received a mixed reception from music critics. Some enjoyed the suite's fusion of classical and jazz music, while others found it to be an unfulfilling combination. Outside of the Ensemble Modern, Blood on the Floor has been performed by various ensembles, including the Berlin Philharmonic, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Boston Symphony Orchestra.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 01:07 UTC on Thursday, 29 February 2024.For the full current version of the article, see Blood on the Floor (Turnage) on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm Kimberly Standard.
Super excited to announce new guest, Maria Corley, to The Story!Maria Thompson Corley (BM, University of Alberta; MM, DMA, The Juilliard School) was born in Jamaica and raised in Canada. She has performed internationally, as both as a solo and collaborative artist, at venues including the Smithsonian Museum of African American History, Epidaurus Festival, Liszt Academy, Carnegie Recital Hall, and Aaron Davis Hall. Among her collaborators are Metropolitan Opera soprano Priscilla Baskerville, Juno Award-winning clarinetist James Campbell, Grammy-winning clarinetist Doris Hall-Gulati, Grammy-nominated baritone Randall Scarlata, renowned countertenor Darryl Taylor, and members of the New York Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestras. Her engagements as a soloist with orchestra include the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Gunther Schuller. She and cellist Sara Male formed Duo Chiaroscuro in 2011; among their passions is performing concerts for people whose special needs prevent strict observance of concert protocols. Dr. Corley has recorded CD's for Naxos, Albany, MSR Classical, Navona, and independent labels. Excerpts from her discs have been featured on radio and digital platforms, nationally and internationally. Her recordings of selections from Valerie Capers' Portraits in Jazz were included in the HBO special, “Kebreeya's Salad Days,” her recording of Leslie Adams's “Etude in C Sharp Minor” was included in award-winning director Timothy Greenfield-Sanders's documentary, Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am, and her performance of “Mother's Sacrifice” by L. Viola Kinney was selected for ABC's Women of the Movement: Mamie Till.A sought-after composer and arranger, her solo piano piece, “Lucid Dreaming,” was a semi-finalist in the 2021 international Fidelio competition, and her piece for trumpet and piano, “Helicity,” was the winner of the 2021 AMSONIA international competition's instrumental division. That same year, she was a co-recipient, with librettist Diana Solomon-Glover, of an Opera America IDEA grant. Her music has been commissioned, performed and/or recorded by several universities, Juventas New Music Ensemble, Canadian Art Song Project, Renaissance Winds, tubist Daniel Rowland, countertenor Darryl Taylor, mezzo-soprano Raehann Bryce-Davis, sopranos Nadine Benjamin, Sequina Dubose, Louise Toppin and Randye Jones, among others. She is published by Walton, North Star, Classical Vocal Reprints, and NoteNova. Her song cycle Grasping Water was added to the curricula at University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), Jackdaws Music Education Trust in the U.K., and University of California (Irvine). Her debut mini-opera, The Sky Where You Are, with a libretto by Jenny O'Connell, was part of the award-winning Decameron Opera Coalition's Tales from a Safe Distance. Her second mini-opera, The Place, with a libretto by Sandra Oyinloye, was written for DOC's subsequent production, Heroes. She is the librettist and composer of The Fox and the Cookie, a children's opera about The Golden Rule that world-premiered in 2023 at University of Texas El Paso.You can find Maria and her projects here:Website: https://mariacorley.com/Find The Story Podcast here: coryrosenproductions.com/podcastsSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-story/donations
Episode 117 Electronic Keyboards in Jazz, A Recorded History, Part 1 of 2 Playlist Length Start Time Introduction 05:42 00:00 1. Vernon Geyer, “Day After Day” from All Ashore / Day After Day (1938 Bluebird). Soloist, Hammond Electric Organ, Vernon Geyer. 02:22 05:42 2. Milt Herth Quartet / Milt Herth Trio, “Minuet in Jazz” from Home-Cookin' Mama With The Fryin' Pan / Minuet In Jazz (1938 Decca). Milt Herth was one of the first to record with the Hammond Organ Model A. His playing was more focused on melody and counterpoint and not so much on creating a lush progression of chords. This was recorded a few years before the availability of the Leslie rotating speaker, which added a special tone quality to later Hammonds, such as the model B3. 02:44 08:04 3. Milt Herth Quartet / Milt Herth Trio, “Looney Little Tooney” from Flat Foot Floojie / Looney Little Tooney (1938 Decca). Vocals, O'Neil Spencer; Drums, O'Neil Spencer; Guitar, Teddy Bunn; Hammond Organ, Milt Herth; Piano, Willie Smith (The Lion). 02:50 10:46 4. "Fats" Waller And His Rhythm, “Come Down to Earth, My Angel” from Come Down To Earth, My Angel / Liver Lip Jones (1941 Bluebird). Waller was an extremely popular ragtime and stride piano player and vocalist. In this number, he takes a rare turn on an electric organ, presumably an early model Hammond. Vocals, Piano, Electric Organ, "Fats" Waller; Bass, Cedric Wallace; Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone, Gene Sedric; Drums, Slick Jones; Guitar, Al Casey; Trumpet, John Hamilton. 03:10 13:36 5. Collins H. Driggs, “When Day is Done” from The Magic Of The Novachord (1941 Victor). Soloist, Hammond Novachord, Collins H. Driggs. This was an early polyphonic keyboard that generated its sounds using valve, or vacuum tube, oscillators. Made by Hammond, the Novachord was an entirely different electronic instrument than its tone-wheel organs. The Novachord had unique, synthesizer-like controls over envelope generation, band pass filtering and vibrato controlled by a series of flip switches, offering the keyboardist a unique suite of sounds. 03:11 16:45 6. The Four Clefs, “It's Heavenly” from It's Heavenly / Dig These Blues (1943 Bluebird). Hammond Electric Organ, James Marshall. Another organ recording and a nice duet with a guitarist Johnny "Happy" Green. 02:41 19:54 7. Ethel Smith And The Bando Carioca, “Tico-Tico” from Tico-Tico / Lero Lero / Bem Te Vi Atrevido (1944 Decca). Another was a popular and skilled organist using a pre-B3 Hammond. 02:45 22:36 8. Slim Gaillard Quartette, “Novachord Boogie” from Tee Say Malee / Novachord Boogie (1946 Atomic Records). Bass, Tiny Brown; Drums, Oscar Bradley; Guitar, Slim Gaillard; Piano, Dodo Marmarosa. While the Hammond Novachord plays a prominent role in this recording, the player is not credited. 02:57 25:20 9. Milt Herth And His Trio,” Twelfth Street Rag” from Herthquake Boogie / Twelfth Street Rag (1948 Decca). Recorded in New York, NY, September 5, 1947. Described on the recording as a “Boogie Woogie Instrumental.” Hammond Organ, Milt Herth; Drums, Piano, Uncredited. Herth had been recording with the Hammond organ since 1937. 03:10 28:16 10. Ben Light With Herb Kern And Lloyd Sloop, “Benny's Boogie” from Benny's Boogie / Whispering (1949 Tempo). This track includes the triple keyboard combination of piano, organ, and Novachord. Hammond Electric Organ , Herb Kern; Piano, Ben Light; Hammond Novachord, Lloyd Sloop. 02:37 31:27 11. Johnny Meyer Met Het Kwartet Jan Corduwener, “There's Yes! Yes! in your Eyes” from Little White Lies / Thereʼs Yes! Yes! In Your Eyes (1949 Decca). Accordion player Johnny Meyer added a Hammond Solovox organ to his musical arrangements. The Solovox was monophonic and it added a solo voice to his performances. This recording is from the Netherlands. 03:22 34:04 12. E. Robert Scott, R.E. Wolke, “Instructions For Playing Lowrey Organo” (excerpt) from Instructions For Playing Lowrey Organo (circa 1950 No Label). Promotional disc produced by piano and organ distributor Janssen, presumably with the cooperation of Lowrey. This is a 12-inch 78 RPM disc, but is undated, so I believe that picking 1950 as the release year is safe because the Organo was introduced in 1949 and 78 RPM records were already beginning to be replaced in 1950 by the 33-1/3 RPM disc. Recordings of this instrument are extremely rare. I have no such examples within a jazz context, but being a competitor of the Hammond Solovox, I thought this was worth including. 03:23 37:26 13. Ethel Smith, “Toca Tu Samba” from Souvenir Album (1950 Decca). One of the great female masters of the Hammond Electric Organ was Ethel Smith. Her performances were mostly considered as pop music, but she had the knack for creating Latin jazz tracks such as this. Featuring The Bando Carioca; Hammond Electric Organ soloist, Ethel Smith. 02:25 40:48 14. The Harmonicats, “The Little Red Monkey” from The Little Red Monkey / Pachuko Hop (1953 Mercury). Jerry Murad's Harmonicats were an American harmonica-based group. On this number, they included the electronic instrument known as the Clavioline. The Clavioline produced a fuzzy square wave that could be filtered to roughly imitate many other instruments. The record is inscribed with the message, “Introducing the Clavioline,” but the player is not mentioned. 01:56 43:12 15. Djalma Ferreira E Seus Milionarios Do Ritmo, “Solovox Blues” from Parada De Dança N. 2 (1953 Musidisc). From Brazil comes a jazz group that included the Hammond Solovox Organ as part of its ensemble. Invented in 1940, the Solovox was a monophonic keyboard intended as an add-on to a piano for playing organ-flavored solos. It had a 3-octave mini keyboard and controls over vibrato and attack time, and tone settings for deep, full, and brilliant. Piano, Hammond Solovox Organ, Djalma Ferreira; Bass, Egidio Bocanera; Bongos, Amaury Rodrigues; Drums, Cecy Machado; Guitar, Nestor Campos. 02:31 45:08 16. Eddie Baxter, “Jalousie” from Temptation (1957 Rendezvous Records). Piano, Hammond Organ, Celesta (Electronic Celeste), Krueger Percussion Bass, Eddie Baxter; rhythm section, uncredited. Like Ethel Smith, Baxter was pushing the limits of popular music with his virtuosity on the organ and other instruments. In this track you can hear the electronic celesta with its chime-like sounds near the beginning before the electric organ and guitar dominate the rest of the piece. 02:33 47:38 17. Eddie Baxter, “Temptation” from Temptation (1957 Rendezvous Records). Hammond Electric Organ, Eddie Baxter. Piano, Hammond Organ, Wurlitzer Electric Piano, Krueger Percussion Bass, Eddie Baxter. In this track, you can clearly hear the Wurlitzer electric piano in several sections. 02:08 50:10 18. Le Sun Ra And His Arkestra, “Advice to Medics” from Super-Sonic Jazz (1957 El Saturn Records). This excursion into one of the first records released by Sun Ra as a bandleader of the Arkestra was recorded in 1956 at RCA Studios, Chicago. This track is a solo for the Wurlitzer Electric Piano, an instrument invented in 1954 and that was quickly adopted by many jazz and popular music players. 02:02 52:17 19. Le Sun Ra And His Arkestra, “India” from Super-Sonic Jazz (1957 El Saturn Records). A work featuring the Wurlitzer Electric Piano played by Sun Ra, miscellaneous percussion; electric bass, Wilburn Green; Drums, Robert Barry and William Cochran; Timpani, Timbales, Jim Herndon; and trumpet, Art Hoyle. 04:48 54:18 20. Le Sun Ra And His Arkestra, “Springtime in Chicago” from Super-Sonic Jazz (1957 El Saturn Records). This work features Sun Ra playing the acoustic and electric pianos. Wurlitzer Electric Piano, piano Sun Ra; bass, Victor Sproles; Tenor Saxophone, John Gilmore; Drums, Robert Barry and William Cochran. 03:50 59:14 21. Le Sun Ra And His Arkestra, “Sunology” from Super-Sonic Jazz (1957 El Saturn Records). Another number with both the acoustic and electric pianos. Of interest is how Sun Ra moves deftly from one keyboard to the other (these recordings were made in real time), often mid-phrase. This was a style of playing that Sun Ra would continue to perfect throughout his long career and many electronic keyboards. Wurlitzer Electric Piano, piano Sun Ra; bass, Victor Sproles; Tenor Saxophone, John Gilmore; Drums, Robert Barry and William Cochran; Alto Saxophone, James Scales; Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Pat Patrick. 12:47 01:02:54 22. Steve Allen, “Electronic Boogie” from Electrified Favorites (1958 Coral). From Steve Allen, who played the Wurlitzer Electric Piano on this track. This track has the characteristic brashness that was typical of the Wurlitzer sound. 02:23 01:15:40 23. Steve Allen, “Steverino Swings” from Electrified Favorites (1958 Coral). From Wurlitzer Electric Piano, Steve Allen. Unlike many tracks featuring the Wurlitzer Electric, which make use of its distortion and emphasize its sharp attack, it was possible to closely mimic an acoustic piano as well, as Allen does here. I had to listen to this several times before I believed that it was the Wurlitzer, as the liner notes state. But you can hear certain tell-tale sounds all along the way—such as the slight electrified reverb after a phrase concludes and the occasional thump of the bass notes played by the left hand. 02:54 01:18:02 24. Michel Magne, “Larmes En Sol Pleureur (Extrait D'un Chagrin Emmitouflé)” from Musique Tachiste (1959 Paris). Jazz expression in a third-stream jazz setting by French composer Michel Magne. Third-stream was a music genre that fused jazz and classical music. The term was coined in 1957 by composer Gunther Schuller after which there was a surge of activity around this idea. In this example, the Ondes Martenot and vocalist add jazz nuances to a chamber music setting, the interpretation being very jazz-like. Ondes Martenot, Janine De Waleine; Piano, Paul Castagnier; Violin, Lionel Gali; Voice, Christiane Legrand. 02:38 01:20:54 25. Ray Charles, “What'd I Say” from What'd I Say (1959 Atlantic). This might be the most famous track ever recorded using a Wurlitzer Electric Piano. The fuzzy, sharp tone added depth and feeling to the playing. The opening bars were imitated far and wide for radio advertising of drag races during the 1960s. 05:05 01:23:30 26. Lew Davies And His Orchestra, “Spellbound” from Strange Interlude (1961 Command). This was one of Enoch Light's productions from the early 1960s, when stereo separation was still an experiment. This is the theme from the Hitchcock movie with a melody played on the Ondioline, a monophonic organ and an otherwise jazzy arrangement with a rhythm section, reeds, and horns. Arrangement, Lew Davies; Ondioline, Sy Mann; Bass, Bob Haggart, Jack Lesberg; Cymbalum, Michael Szittai; Drums, George Devens, Phil Kraus; French Horn,Paul Faulise, Tony Miranda; Guitar, Tony Mottola; Reeds, Al Klink, Ezelle Watson, Phil Bodner, Stanley Webb; Trombone, Bobby Byrne, Dick Hixon, Urbie Green; Produced by, Enoch Light. 03:29 01:28:34 27. Sy Mann and Nick Tagg, “Sweet and Lovely” from 2 Organs & Percussion (1961 Grand Award). Duets on the Hammond B3 and Lowrey Organs “propelled by the urgent percussive drive of a brilliant rhythm section.” This is a unique opportunity to contract and compare the sounds of the Hammond and Lowrey organs with percussion. Hammond B3 Organ, Sy Mann, Nick Tagg. The track begins with the Lowrey and demonstrates the sliding tone effects made possible by its Glide foot switch. 02:58 01:32:02 28. Enoch Light And The Light Brigade, “Green Eyes” from Vibrations (1962 Command). More stereo separation hijinks from Enoch Light. This tune features the Ondioline in an exchange of lines with the guitar and other instruments. The Ondioline is first heard at about 35 seconds. Ondioline, Milton Kraus; Bass, Bob Haggart; Guitar, Tony Mottola; Percussion, Bobby Rosengarden, Dan Lamond, Ed Shaughnessy, Phil Kraus; Piano, Moe Wechsler; Trumpet – Doc Severinsen; Woodwind – Phil Bodner, Stanley Webb; Produced by, Enoch Light. 02:50 01:34:59 29. Jimmy Smith, “Begger for the Blues” from The Unpredictable Jimmy Smith--Bashin' (1962 Verve). Jimmy Smith was a great jazz soloist on the Hammond B3 organ. This stripped-down arrangement shows his nuanced expression skills with the organ. 07:26 01:37:49 30. Jimmy Smith, “Walk On The Wild Side” from The Unpredictable Jimmy Smith--Bashin' (1962 Verve). This big band arrangement of a theme from the movie Walk on the Wild Side features the Hammond B3 of Smith in the context of a full jazz orchestration. 05:54 01:45:12 31. Dick Hyman And His Orchestra, “Stompin' At The Savoy” from Electrodynamics (1963 Command). Arranged, Lowrey Organ, Dick Hyman; Bass, Bob Haggart; Drums, Osie Johnson; Guitar, Al Casamenti, Tony Mottola; Marimba, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Bongos, Congas, Bass Drum, Bells, Cowbell, Bob Rosengarden, Phil Kraus; Produced by Enoch Light. Hyman shows off the steady, smooth tonalities of the Lowrey and also makes use of the Glide foot switch right from the beginning with that little whistling glissando that he repeats five times in the first 30 seconds. 02:50 01:51:06 32. Sun Ra, “The Cosmos” from The Heliocentric Worlds Of Sun Ra, Vol. I (1965 ESP Disc). The instrumentation on this entire album is quite experimental, especially the dominance of the bass marimba, Electronic Celesta, and timpani of Sun Ra. The celesta is seldom heard on jazz records, but it is the only electronic keyboard found on this track. Marimba, Electronic Celesta, timpani, Sun Ra; Percussion, Jimhmi (sp Jimmy) Johnson; Performer, Sun Ra And His Solar Arkestra; Baritone Saxophone, Percussion, Pat Patrick; Bass, Ronnie Boykins; Bass Clarinet, Wood Block, Robert Cummings; Bass Trombone, Bernard Pettaway; Flute, Alto Saxophone, Danny Davis; Percussion, timpani, Jimmi Johnson; Piccolo Flute, Alto Saxophone, Bells, Spiral Cymbal, Marshall Allen. 07:31 01:53:54 33. Sun Ra And His Solar Arkestra, “The Magic City” from The Magic City (1966 Saturn Research). You won't be disappointed to know that Sun Ra gave the Clavioline a turn on this album. This was prior to his experimenting with synthesizers, which we will cover in Part 2 of this exploration of early electronic keyboards in jazz. He incorporated the Clavioline in many of his mid-1960s recordings. Clavioline, Piano, Sun Ra; Alto Saxophone, Danny Davis, Harry Spencer; Percussion, Roger Blank; Trombone, Ali Hassan; Trumpet, Walter Miller. 27:24 02:01:22 34. Clyde Borly & His Percussions, “Taboo” from Music In 5 Dimensions (1965 Atco). Vocals, Ondes Martenot, Janine De Waleyne. Yes, Ms. De Waleyne was a French vocalist and Ondes Martenot player. 03:33 02:28:44 35. Jeanne Loriod, Stève Laurent and Pierre Duclos, ''Ordinateur X Y Z” from Ondes Martenot (1966 SONOROP). Album of broadcast library music from France that happened to feature the Ondes Martenot played Jeanne Loriod; drums, uncredited. The dynamic expression features of the monophonic electronic instrument can be clearly experienced on this track. 02:05 02:32:16 36. Roger Roger, “Running with the Wind” from Chappell Mood Music Vol. 21 (1969 Chappell). Broadcast library recording with various themes played using the Ondes Martenot. This track features a solo Ondes Martenot and is backed by an electric harpsichord. The Ondes Martenot used the same electronic principle to create smooth, flowing tones as the Theremin, only that it was controlled by a keyboard. In this piece, the articulation of the Ondes Martenot is quite apart from that of the Theremin, including its double-tracked tones and the quick pacing which is rather un-Theremin-like. 01:28 02:34:20 37. Roger Roger, “Night Ride” from Chappell Mood Music Vol. 21 (1969 Chappell). Broadcast library recording with various themes played using the Ondes Martenot. While this track features a flute solo, you can hear the Ondes Martenot from time to time, especially in the middle break. Other uncredited musician play drums, harp, and perhaps a celesta on this track. 01:35 02:35:45 Opening background music: Dick Hyman And His Orchestra, “Mack the Knife,” “Satin Doll” and “Shadowland” from Electrodynamics (1963 Command). Dick Hyman playing the Lowrey organ. Arranged, Lowrey Organ, Dick Hyman; Bass, Bob Haggart; Drums, Osie Johnson; Guitar, Al Casamenti, Tony Mottola; Marimba, Xylophone, Vibraphone, Bongos, Congas, Bass Drum, Bells, Cowbell, Bob Rosengarden, Phil Kraus; Produced by Enoch Light. Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz. Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes. See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation. For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations. I created an illustrated chart of all of the instruments included in this podcast, paying special attention to the expressive features that could be easily adopted by jazz musicians. You can download the PDF, for free, on my blog, Noise and Notations at thomholmes.com
El poeta malagueño Alejandro Simón Partal publica 'Ese de anoche' su primera antología trabajos inéditos, con Use Lahoz conocemos 'Los comienzos del jazz' de Gunther Schuller, viajamos al Lucca Comics & Games con Javier Alonso y celebramos los 80 años de Manuel Longares. Escuchar audio
On This episode of Backstage Jazz, we're featuring an interview with jazz drummer Harold Summey. Summey has been a drummer/percussionist for over thirty years. The individuals he has performed with as either drummer or percussionist include Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Buck Hill, Harold Mabern, Eric Alexander, Gunther Schuller, Wynton Marsalis, Geri Allen, Pat Metheny, Whitney Houston. In 1992, Mr. Summey was the first-prize winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. Every week on Backstage Jazz, you'll hear a blend of contemporary and classic jazz and a touch of soul, funk, and blues, all selected by music journalist and host Steven Roby. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/backstagejazz/message
Ein amerikanischer Komponist deutscher Abstammung wird zur treibenden Kraft des "Third Stream", einer Verbindung von Jazz mit Klassischer und Neuer Musik. Anfangs umstritten, bescheinigen ihm später die Historiker: Aus den Reihen der Klassik sei er der größte Freund des Jazz gewesen: der Komponist und Arrangeur Gunther Schuller. Von Karsten Mützelfeldt.
It's an exciting first for Composing Myself this week, with this episode's guest holding a position in none other than The Royal Household of the United Kingdom. Judith Weir - Master of The King's Music (and former Master of The Queen's Music) – talks to Wise Music Group CEO Dave Holley and Creative Director Gill Graham about an illustrious life of creative adventure, from a fortuitous mentorship by Sir John Tavener to being appointed to a Royal position by Queen Elizabeth II. Stops along the way include the Battle of Stamford Bridge (“an iconic moment in English history”); how deadlines – “the composer's curse” – are actually a big help; Judith's inspiring work in the broader community; why singers are “the most amazing people in our profession”, and the myriad joys of blogging. A life less ordinary reflected on by a wonderfully eloquent composer.https://www.judithweir.com/Judith Weir (b 1954 to Scottish parents in Cambridge, England) studied composition with John Tavener, Robin Holloway and Gunther Schuller. On leaving Cambridge University in 1976 she taught in England and Scotland, and in the mid-1990s became Associate Composer with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and Artistic Director of Spitalfields Festival. She was a Visiting Professor at Princeton (2001) Harvard (2004) and Cardiff (2006-13) and in 2014 was appointed Master of the Queen's Music. Since Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, Weir is now Master of The King's Music. From 2015 to 2019 she was Associate Composer to the BBC Singers.She is the composer of several operas (written for Kent Opera, Scottish Opera, ENO and Bregenz) which have been widely performed. She has written orchestral music for the BBC Symphony, Boston Symphony and Minnesota Orchestras. Much of her music has been recorded, and is available on the NMC, Delphian and Signum labels. She blogs about her cultural experiences at www.judithweir.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Eugene Holmes (1932 – 2007), baritone supreme, should be remembered as one of the most significant voices of the Twentieth Century and a Black singer on a par with the most revered and celebrated. Though he participated in the creation of some important work (including by Gian Carlo Menotti, Gunther Schuller, and Frederick Delius), and performed with San Francisco Opera, the Wiener Staatsoper, New York City Opera, and the Metropolitan Opera Regional Company, his career remained centered for more than thirty years at his home company, the Deutsche Oper am Rhein. The rare recorded documents that we have of Eugene Holmes, including two self-produced LPs of spirituals and three different recordings of Delius's rare opera Koanga (two of them live), reveal a voice of rare magnitude, range, power, and sensitivity, qualities which made him one of the premier Verdi baritones of his day. But due to a number of factors, including his modesty and his unwillingness to travel far from home, he did not achieve the international recognition that he deserved. I have pulled together all of the recorded material of Eugene Holmes that I could find, and present excerpts from these varied sources. Guest vocalists appearing opposite Holmes include sopranos Claudia Lindsey, Gwyneth Jones, and Barbara Carter, and tenors János B. Nagy and Giorgio Aristo. In the production of this podcast, I was greatly aided by reminiscences provided by his colleagues Bonita Hyman, the German-based African American mezzo-soprano; Stephen Harrison, the retired musical director of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein; and Heribert Klein, member of the committee of UNICEF Deutschland, an organization to which Eugene Holmes was deeply committed. Countermelody is a podcast devoted to the glory and the power of the human voice raised in song. Singer and vocal aficionado Daniel Gundlach explores great singers of the past and present focusing in particular on those who are less well-remembered today than they should be. Daniel's lifetime in music as a professional countertenor, pianist, vocal coach, voice teacher, and journalist yields an exciting array of anecdotes, impressions, and “inside stories.” At Countermelody's core is the celebration of great singers of all stripes, their instruments, and the connection they make to the words they sing. By clicking on the following link (https://linktr.ee/CountermelodyPodcast) you can find the dedicated Countermelody website which contains additional content including artist photos and episode setlists. The link will also take you to Countermelody's Patreon page, where you can pledge your monthly support at whatever level you can afford. Bonus episodes available exclusively to Patreon supporters are currently available and further bonus content including interviews and livestreams is planned for the upcoming season.
Synopsis On today's date in 1961, the New York City Ballet presented a new work scored by a 35-year old composer named Gunther Schuller, who was conducting the pit orchestra. On stage, in the middle of the green- and purple-garbed dancers, were four additional musicians: namely, the Modern Jazz Quartet, decked out in their usual white ties and tails. Schuller's score, entitled Variants, was an attempt to fuse modern music and jazz into a style he labeled Third Stream. ”I had this idea of the First and Second streams [classical and jazz] getting married and giving birth to a child, which is the Third stream," recalled Schuller years later, ruefully noting that today one would have to call it the 10,000th stream as composers have since introduced a multitude of ethnic, folk and vernacular music into the mix as well. But back in 1961, the idea attracted a lot of press – not all favorable. The New Yorker, for example, thought it odd that the MJQ “sat like a quartet of hunters in a duck blind, anxiously shooting out carefully calculated notes.” Time magazine wrote: “Schuller's score was the essence of the cool – spare, fragmentary, but resembling jazz only in its rhythmic drive.” If this was the Third Stream, the reviewer concluded, “it never seemed to be flowing anywhere.” Music Played in Today's Program Gunther Schuller (b. 1925) Conversation Modern Jazz Quartet and ensemble; Gunther Schuller, conductor. Wounded Bird 1345
Composer and pianist talks about developing his own shapes in musical form and the validation he received from Gunther Schuller and Oscar Peterson along the way.
Synopsis Today's date marks an important anniversary in the history of the American symphony. It was on January 26, 1876, that the Symphony No. 1 in c minor of John Knowles Paine was premiered in Boston. This was the first American symphony to be generally acknowledged both here and abroad as being on a par with the symphonies of the great European composers. American musical life in the 19th century was heavily influenced by German models – and Paine's Symphony No. 1 takes its key and much of its musical style from Beethoven's Fifth. The contemporary American composer and conductor Gunther Schuller once quipped that Paine's First was “the best Beethoven symphony that Beethoven didn't write himself.” Even so, Paine's 1876 Symphony is a landmark in American musical history, as was one of Paine's earlier works – a grandiose Mass in D Major for vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra, which was premiered in Berlin in 1867 and successfully revived by Gunther Schuller in Boston in 1972. John Knowles Paine is remembered for other reasons as well: He was one of the founders of the American Guild of Organists, and he founded the music department at Harvard and became the mentor for a new generation of American composers. Music Played in Today's Program John Knowles Paine (1839-1906) — Symphony No. 1 in c (New York Philharmonic; Zubin Mehta, cond.) New World 374
Versatility, passion, and innovation are the hallmarks of American conductor Janna Hymes — not to mention energetic! Renowned for her inspiring performances, musical depth, and energetic presence both on and off the podium, she has developed a reputation as an exciting, detailed communicator. She is also one of the first female conductors to lead an orchestra, and the first to lead the Carmel Symphony Orchestra. Born in New York City, Janna Hymes is a Fulbright scholar, recipient of a 1999 Geraldine C. and Emory M. Ford Foundation Grant, and a prizewinner of the 1998 International Conducting Competition in Besancon, France. She studied under such prominent conductors as Leonard Bernstein, Gustav Meier, Otto Werner-Mueller, and Gunther Schuller, and holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the College-Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati. She also studied at the Tanglewood Music Center, Aspen Music Festival, the Festival at Sandpoint (ID), and the Conductor's Guild Institute. Janna is normalizing diversity as a conductor of a mostly-classical orchestra. Listen to how she brings the joy of music to others and to herself. Connect with Janna Hymes CarmelSymphony.org Connect with Kara karakavensky.com @karakavensky on Twitter, FB, IG https://www.facebook.com/karakavenskywriter/ https://www.instagram.com/karakavensky/ https://twitter.com/karakavensky Music by Adam Gibson of Adam Gibson Design Mixing by The Brassy Broadcasting Company
Sunday 26 September 2021: A portrait of the legendary trumpeter on the 30th anniversary of his death courtesy of bandmates Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Wayne Shorter, Gunther Schuller and many more.
Singer Bethany Beardslee walks that fine line between classical and jazz, and traditional and experimental. Ms. Beardslee has performed in some of the country's most prestigious venues, singing works by such preeminent composers as Milton Babbitt and Gunther Schuller. At 95 years old, she has recently released her memoirs, I Sang the Unsingable. Rick plays a couple of her best known pieces, and chats with her about her fascinating career.
Discópolis se convierte hoy en Discópolis jazz para ver cómo influyó el blues en el jazz moderno. Rescatamos un vinilo del sello Atlantic de 1961, que ha recibido numerosas reediciones. Se publicó en mono, se reconvirtió al estéreo seis años después, nos llegó a España en 1967, pasó sin pena ni gloria, pero en 1969 se relanzó en Europa y aquí volvimos a editarlo manteniendo el anterior número del Depósito Legal (M.5334-1967). El disco es más que sobresaliente, por eso lo pongo. En todas las ediciones se mantuvieron las notas de carpeta escritas por Gunther Schuller y la portada de Picasso. Sin embargo, los créditos detallados nunca se dieron a conocer en España. Aquí los tenéis en inglés. V.A. – The Blues in Modern Jazz: El Blues en el Jazz Moderno. Atlantic – HAT 421-03, Hispavox. España 1967. Portada de Pablo Picasso. Lista de Títulos: A1 Dizzy Gillespie– Just Blues Bass – Joe Benjamin Drums – Bill Clark Piano – Art Simmons Tenor Saxophone – Don Byas Written-By, Trumpet – Dizzy Gillespie Bass – Joe Benjamin Drums – Bill Clark Piano – Art Simmons Tenor Saxophone – Don Byas Written-By, Trumpet – Dizzy Gillespie 2:56 A2 Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers With Thelonious Monk– Blue Monk Bass – Spanky DeBrest Drums – Art Blakey Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin Trumpet – Bill Hardman Written-By, Piano – Thelonious Monk Bass – Spanky DeBrest Drums – Art Blakey Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin Trumpet – Bill Hardman Written-By, Piano – Thelonious Monk 7:49 A3 Lennie Tristano– Requiem Written-By, Piano – Lennie Tristano Written-By, Piano – Lennie Tristano 4:51 A4 Charles Mingus– Haitian Fight Song Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Curtis Porter Drums – Dannie Richmond Piano – Wade Legge Trombone – Jimmy Knepper Written-By, Bass – Charles Mingus Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Curtis Porter Drums – Dannie Richmond Piano – Wade Legge Trombone – Jimmy Knepper Written-By, Bass – Charles Mingus 7:09 B1 Milt Jackson– Blues At Twilight Bass – Oscar Pettiford Drums – Connie Kay Piano – Horace Silver Tenor Saxophone – Lucky Thompson Trumpet – Joe Newman Vibraphone [Vibraharp] – Milt Jackson Written-By – Quincy Jones Bass – Oscar Pettiford Drums – Connie Kay Piano – Horace Silver Tenor Saxophone – Lucky Thompson Trumpet – Joe Newman Vibraphone [Vibraharp] – Milt Jackson Written-By – Quincy Jones 6:46 B2 Ray Charles– Sweet Sixteen Bars Bass – Roosevelt Sheffield Drums – William Peeples Written-By, Piano – Ray Charles Bass – Roosevelt Sheffield Drums – William Peeples Written-By, Piano – Ray Charles 4:04 B3 Jimmy Giuffre– Two Kinds Of Blues Bass – Ralph Pena Guitar – Jim Hall Written-By, Clarinet – Jimmy Giuffre Bass – Ralph Pena Guitar – Jim Hall Written-By, Clarinet – Jimmy Giuffre 5:10 B4 The Modern Jazz Quartet– Bluesology Bass – Percy Heath Drums – Connie Kay Piano – John Lewis Written-By, Vibraphone [Vibraharp] – Milt Jackson. 5:04 Bonus, no incluidos en aquel elepé: Mongo Santamaria: Watermelon Man Miguel Rios: Blues de la soledad. Escuchar audio
Discópolis se convierte hoy en Discópolis jazz para ver cómo influyó el blues en el jazz moderno. Rescatamos un vinilo del sello Atlantic de 1961, que ha recibido numerosas reediciones. Se publicó en mono, se reconvirtió al estéreo seis años después, nos llegó a España en 1967, pasó sin pena ni gloria, pero en 1969 se relanzó en Europa y aquí volvimos a editarlo manteniendo el anterior número del Depósito Legal (M.5334-1967). El disco es más que sobresaliente, por eso lo pongo. En todas las ediciones se mantuvieron las notas de carpeta escritas por Gunther Schuller y la portada de Picasso. Sin embargo, los créditos detallados nunca se dieron a conocer en España. Aquí los tenéis en inglés. V.A. – The Blues in Modern Jazz: El Blues en el Jazz Moderno. Atlantic – HAT 421-03, Hispavox. España 1967. Portada de Pablo Picasso. Lista de Títulos: A1 Dizzy Gillespie– Just Blues Bass – Joe Benjamin Drums – Bill Clark Piano – Art Simmons Tenor Saxophone – Don Byas Written-By, Trumpet – Dizzy Gillespie Bass – Joe Benjamin Drums – Bill Clark Piano – Art Simmons Tenor Saxophone – Don Byas Written-By, Trumpet – Dizzy Gillespie 2:56 A2 Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers With Thelonious Monk– Blue Monk Bass – Spanky DeBrest Drums – Art Blakey Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin Trumpet – Bill Hardman Written-By, Piano – Thelonious Monk Bass – Spanky DeBrest Drums – Art Blakey Tenor Saxophone – Johnny Griffin Trumpet – Bill Hardman Written-By, Piano – Thelonious Monk 7:49 A3 Lennie Tristano– Requiem Written-By, Piano – Lennie Tristano Written-By, Piano – Lennie Tristano 4:51 A4 Charles Mingus– Haitian Fight Song Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Curtis Porter Drums – Dannie Richmond Piano – Wade Legge Trombone – Jimmy Knepper Written-By, Bass – Charles Mingus Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Curtis Porter Drums – Dannie Richmond Piano – Wade Legge Trombone – Jimmy Knepper Written-By, Bass – Charles Mingus 7:09 B1 Milt Jackson– Blues At Twilight Bass – Oscar Pettiford Drums – Connie Kay Piano – Horace Silver Tenor Saxophone – Lucky Thompson Trumpet – Joe Newman Vibraphone [Vibraharp] – Milt Jackson Written-By – Quincy Jones Bass – Oscar Pettiford Drums – Connie Kay Piano – Horace Silver Tenor Saxophone – Lucky Thompson Trumpet – Joe Newman Vibraphone [Vibraharp] – Milt Jackson Written-By – Quincy Jones 6:46 B2 Ray Charles– Sweet Sixteen Bars Bass – Roosevelt Sheffield Drums – William Peeples Written-By, Piano – Ray Charles Bass – Roosevelt Sheffield Drums – William Peeples Written-By, Piano – Ray Charles 4:04 B3 Jimmy Giuffre– Two Kinds Of Blues Bass – Ralph Pena Guitar – Jim Hall Written-By, Clarinet – Jimmy Giuffre Bass – Ralph Pena Guitar – Jim Hall Written-By, Clarinet – Jimmy Giuffre 5:10 B4 The Modern Jazz Quartet– Bluesology Bass – Percy Heath Drums – Connie Kay Piano – John Lewis Written-By, Vibraphone [Vibraharp] – Milt Jackson. 5:04 Bonus, no incluidos en aquel elepé: Mongo Santamaria: Watermelon Man Miguel Rios: Blues de la soledad. Escuchar audio
Episode 2 of "HEY BALTIMORE" - KRAFT with Mike Kuhl Live at An Die Musik! Kuhl/Ballou/Stewart/Dierker An die Musik Live! 409 N. Charles St. Baltimore, MD 21201 https://andiemusiklive.com/ Facebook: Mike Kuhl https://www.facebook.com/mike.kuhl.16 Facebook: Dave Ballou https://www.facebook.com/dballou Facebook: Luke Stewart https://www.facebook.com/luke.stewart.902266 Facebook: John Dierker https://www.facebook.com/john.dierker.3 Drummer, recording artist, educator, Michael Kuhl hails from the musically diverse city of Baltimore. Kuhl studied and performed in numerous genres, making him a first call drummer for any situation. A graduate of Towson University, Kuhl has performed locally and throughout the globe alongside jazz greats Dave Liebman, Tony Malaby, Michael Formanek, Dave Ballou, Ellery Eskelin and Claudio Roditi. Outside of jazz, Kuhl has shared the stage with many international acts such as Beach House, Arboretum, Cigarettes After Sex, Tom Tom Club, and The Ravonnettes. As a leader, Kuhl performed with his trio every Tuesday night at Bertha's in Fells Point before the pandemic. Alongside his musical career, Mike is an accomplished martial artist of Bagua Kung Fu, in which he says the two arts go hand in hand. Trumpeter/Composer Dave Ballou can be heard in a variety of settings; from solo trumpet improvisations to large ensembles. His recordings can be found on the Steeplechase, CleanFeed and pfMentum record labels. Ballou has performed or recorded with Rabih Abou-Kahlil, Steely Dan, Michael Formanek, Mary Halvorson, Woody Herman, Andrew Hill, John Hollenbeck, Sheila Jordan, Oliver Lake, Dave Liebman, Dewey Redman, Maria Schneider and Gunther Schuller. His compositions have been performed and recorded by the Meridian Arts Ensemble, trumpeter Jon Nelson, French hornist Adam Unsworth, saxophonist Ellery Eskelin and the TILT Brass Ensemble. Ballou is a Professor of Music at Towson University and Division Leader of the Jazz and Commercial Music Division. He is the founding director of the Bill and Helen Murray Jazz Residency. Luke Stewart is a DC/NYC-based musician and organizer of important musical presentations. He has a presence in the national and international professional music community. He was profiled in the Washington Post in early 2017 as “holding down the jazz scene,” selected as “Best Musical Omnivore” in the Washington City Paper's 2017 “Best of DC,” chosen as “Jazz Artist of the Year” for 2017 in the District Now, and in the 2014 People Issue of the Washington City Paper as a “Jazz Revolutionary,” citing his multifaceted cultural activities throughout DC. In DC his regular ensembles include experimental jazz trio Heart of the Ghost, Low Ways Quartet featuring guitarist Anthony Pirog, and experimental rock duo Blacks' Myths. He has been compiling a series of improvisational sound structures for Upright Bass and Amplifier. Steward holds a BA in International Studies and a BA in Audio Production from American University, and an MA in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship from the New School. Multi-reedman John Dierker has become a major improvisational stylist, interweaving concepts augmented by howling lines, injections of blues-drenched choruses and Albert Ayler-like display of energy." (All About Jazz.) A Baltimore native, Dierker has worked in a wide variety of musical settings collaborating with Peter Zummo, Jason Willett, Jad Fair, The Basement Boys, Michael Formanek, and Marty Ehrlich. He is a longtime member of Lafayette Gilchrist and The New Volcanoes. Currently, he is working with Quartet Offensive, Lubbock, and Microkingdom and freelancing in the Baltimore/D.C. area. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/somethingcame-from-baltim/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/somethingcame-from-baltim/support
Synopsis Stephen Sondheim was 32 years old when his musical “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” opened on Broadway on today’s date in 1962. The best seats would have cost you $8.60, but decent tickets were available for three bucks in those days–and, much to Sondheim’s relief, New Yorkers snapped them up in short order. The trial run of “Forum” in Washington had been a near disaster, and, as this was the first major musical for which Sondheim wrote both the lyrics and the music, he had a lot riding on the show’s success. Audiences and critics alike loved the over-the-top fusion of an ancient Roman comedy by Plautus with the kick-in-the-pants conventions of American Vaudeville, spiced up with a liberal dash of Burlesque beauties in skimpy Roman costumes. As the NY Times review put it, the cast included six courtesans who “are not obliged to do much, but have a great deal to show.” “Forum” won several Tony Awards in 1962, including “Best Musical.” Even so, while Sondheim’s lyrics were praised, his music was barely mentioned: Sondheim’s skill as a composer not yet fully appreciated. that would occur several years, and several shows, later. Music Played in Today's Program Stephen Sondheim (b. 1930) A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum 1996 Broadway Cast Angel 52223 On This Day Births 1745 - Baptismal date of Bohemian violinist and composer Carl Philipp Stamitz, in Mannheim; He was the son of the composer JohannWenzel Anton Stamitz (b. 1717), and the brother of composer Johann Anton Stamitz (b. 1750); 1829 - American pianist and composer Louis Moreau Gottschalk, in New Orleans; 1945 - American pianist and composer Keith Jarrett, in Allentown, Pa.; Deaths 1829 - Italian composer and guitar virtuoso Mauro Giuliani, age 47, in Naples; 1944 - British composer and women's rights advocate Dame Ethel Smyth, age 86, in Woking; 1960 - Swedish composer Hugo Alfvén, age 88, in Falun; Premieres 1720 - Handel: opera "Radamisto" (1st version) (Julian date: April 27); 1736 - Handel: anthem "Sing unto God" (Julian date: April 27); 1749 - Handel: "Music for the Royal Fireworks" (Julian date: April 27); 1924 - Honegger: "Pacific 231," in Paris at a Koussevitzky Concert; 1938 - Stravinsky: "Dumbarton Oaks" Concerto, at Dumbarton Oaks, conducted by Nadia Boulanger; 1939 - Persichetti: Piano Sonata No. 1, at Philadelphia Conservatory, composer performing; 1946 - Menotti: "The Medium," at Columbia University in New York City; 1958 - Ligeti: String Quartet No. 1 ("Metamorphoses nocturnes"), in Vienna, by the Ramor Quartet; 1962 - Sondheim: Broadway premiere of musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"; Near-disasterous trial run performances in Washington DC and other cities preceded the show's Broadway premiere; This was the first major musical for which Sondheim wrote both the lyrics and the music; It won several Tony Awards in 1962, including "Best Musical"; 1965 - Rochberg: "Zodiac" (orchestral version), by Cincinnati Symphony, Max Rudolf conducting; 1970 - Gunther Schuller: children's opera "The Fisherman and His Wife," in Boston; 1973 - Rochberg: "Imago Mundi," by Baltimore Symphony, Sergiu Commisiona conducting; 1979 - Andrew Lloyd-Webber: musical "Evita," in Los Angeles; The musical opened on Broadway on September 25, 1979; 1985 - Frank Zappa: "Time's Beach" for winds, at Alice Tully Hall in New York, by the Aspen Wind Quintet; 1996 - Lowell Liebermann: opera "The Picture of Dorian Gray," at the Monte Carlo Opera, with tenor Jeffrey Lentz in the title role and Steuart Bedford conducting; The American premiere of this opera was staged in Milwaukee, Wis., by the Florentine Opera in Feb. of 1999; 1998 - Saariaho: Cello Octet, at the Beauvais Cello Festival in Beavais, France; Others 1747 - J.S. Bach performs an organ recital at the Heiligeistkirche in Potsdam; 1821 - Earliest documented American performance Beethoven's Symphony No. 2, in Philadelphia at Washington Hall, by the Musical Fund Society, Charles Hupfeld conducting; The finale only was performed by the Philharmonic Society in New York on December 16, 1824 and repeated at Castle Garden on April 21, 1825; The first complete performance in New York was apparently given on April 22, 1843, at the Apollo Room during the first season of the New York Philharmonic with George Loder conducting; 1874 - American premiere of J.S. Bach's "St. Matthew Passion," at the Music Hall in Boston, by the Handel and Haydn Society, Carl Zerrahn conducting; The performing forces included a chorus of 600, and orchestra of 90, and a 60-voice boy's choir; For this performance, the first 12 numbers of Part II were omitted; The complete Passion was not performed by the Society until 1879; About half of Bach's Passion was given its New York City premiere at St. George's Church on March 17, 1880, by the New York Oratorio Society under Leopold Damrosch; Theodore Thomas conducted the next documented performance in Cincinnati on May 17, 1882, during that city's May Festival; 1945 - Aaron Copland's Pulitzer Prize for Music for his "Appalachian Spring" ballet score is announced on V-E Day (the day the Allied Forces won the war in Europe). Links and Resources On Sondheim
Synopsis Stephen Sondheim was 32 years old when his musical “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” opened on Broadway on today’s date in 1962. The best seats would have cost you $8.60, but decent tickets were available for three bucks in those days–and, much to Sondheim’s relief, New Yorkers snapped them up in short order. The trial run of “Forum” in Washington had been a near disaster, and, as this was the first major musical for which Sondheim wrote both the lyrics and the music, he had a lot riding on the show’s success. Audiences and critics alike loved the over-the-top fusion of an ancient Roman comedy by Plautus with the kick-in-the-pants conventions of American Vaudeville, spiced up with a liberal dash of Burlesque beauties in skimpy Roman costumes. As the NY Times review put it, the cast included six courtesans who “are not obliged to do much, but have a great deal to show.” “Forum” won several Tony Awards in 1962, including “Best Musical.” Even so, while Sondheim’s lyrics were praised, his music was barely mentioned: Sondheim’s skill as a composer not yet fully appreciated. that would occur several years, and several shows, later. Music Played in Today's Program Stephen Sondheim (b. 1930) A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum 1996 Broadway Cast Angel 52223 On This Day Births 1745 - Baptismal date of Bohemian violinist and composer Carl Philipp Stamitz, in Mannheim; He was the son of the composer JohannWenzel Anton Stamitz (b. 1717), and the brother of composer Johann Anton Stamitz (b. 1750); 1829 - American pianist and composer Louis Moreau Gottschalk, in New Orleans; 1945 - American pianist and composer Keith Jarrett, in Allentown, Pa.; Deaths 1829 - Italian composer and guitar virtuoso Mauro Giuliani, age 47, in Naples; 1944 - British composer and women's rights advocate Dame Ethel Smyth, age 86, in Woking; 1960 - Swedish composer Hugo Alfvén, age 88, in Falun; Premieres 1720 - Handel: opera "Radamisto" (1st version) (Julian date: April 27); 1736 - Handel: anthem "Sing unto God" (Julian date: April 27); 1749 - Handel: "Music for the Royal Fireworks" (Julian date: April 27); 1924 - Honegger: "Pacific 231," in Paris at a Koussevitzky Concert; 1938 - Stravinsky: "Dumbarton Oaks" Concerto, at Dumbarton Oaks, conducted by Nadia Boulanger; 1939 - Persichetti: Piano Sonata No. 1, at Philadelphia Conservatory, composer performing; 1946 - Menotti: "The Medium," at Columbia University in New York City; 1958 - Ligeti: String Quartet No. 1 ("Metamorphoses nocturnes"), in Vienna, by the Ramor Quartet; 1962 - Sondheim: Broadway premiere of musical "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum"; Near-disasterous trial run performances in Washington DC and other cities preceded the show's Broadway premiere; This was the first major musical for which Sondheim wrote both the lyrics and the music; It won several Tony Awards in 1962, including "Best Musical"; 1965 - Rochberg: "Zodiac" (orchestral version), by Cincinnati Symphony, Max Rudolf conducting; 1970 - Gunther Schuller: children's opera "The Fisherman and His Wife," in Boston; 1973 - Rochberg: "Imago Mundi," by Baltimore Symphony, Sergiu Commisiona conducting; 1979 - Andrew Lloyd-Webber: musical "Evita," in Los Angeles; The musical opened on Broadway on September 25, 1979; 1985 - Frank Zappa: "Time's Beach" for winds, at Alice Tully Hall in New York, by the Aspen Wind Quintet; 1996 - Lowell Liebermann: opera "The Picture of Dorian Gray," at the Monte Carlo Opera, with tenor Jeffrey Lentz in the title role and Steuart Bedford conducting; The American premiere of this opera was staged in Milwaukee, Wis., by the Florentine Opera in Feb. of 1999; 1998 - Saariaho: Cello Octet, at the Beauvais Cello Festival in Beavais, France; Others 1747 - J.S. Bach performs an organ recital at the Heiligeistkirche in Potsdam; 1821 - Earliest documented American performance Beethoven's Symphony No. 2, in Philadelphia at Washington Hall, by the Musical Fund Society, Charles Hupfeld conducting; The finale only was performed by the Philharmonic Society in New York on December 16, 1824 and repeated at Castle Garden on April 21, 1825; The first complete performance in New York was apparently given on April 22, 1843, at the Apollo Room during the first season of the New York Philharmonic with George Loder conducting; 1874 - American premiere of J.S. Bach's "St. Matthew Passion," at the Music Hall in Boston, by the Handel and Haydn Society, Carl Zerrahn conducting; The performing forces included a chorus of 600, and orchestra of 90, and a 60-voice boy's choir; For this performance, the first 12 numbers of Part II were omitted; The complete Passion was not performed by the Society until 1879; About half of Bach's Passion was given its New York City premiere at St. George's Church on March 17, 1880, by the New York Oratorio Society under Leopold Damrosch; Theodore Thomas conducted the next documented performance in Cincinnati on May 17, 1882, during that city's May Festival; 1945 - Aaron Copland's Pulitzer Prize for Music for his "Appalachian Spring" ballet score is announced on V-E Day (the day the Allied Forces won the war in Europe). Links and Resources On Sondheim
Synopsis “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” Well, the usual reply is, “By practicing!” But back in 1891, Peter Tchaikovsky would have probably answered, “by ship”–since he had, in fact, sailed from Europe to conduct several of his pieces at the hall’s gala opening concerts. The first concert in Carnegie Hall, or as they called it back then, “The Music Hall,” occurred on today’s date in 1891, and included a performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Coronation March,” conducted by the composer. The review in the New York Herald offered these comments: “Tchaikovsky’s March... is simple, strong and sober, but not surprisingly original. The leading theme recalls the Hallelujah chorus, and the treatment of the first part is Handelian… Of the deep passion, the complexity and poetry which mark other works of Tchaikovsky, there is no sign in this march.” Oh well, in the days that followed, Tchaikovsky would conduct other works of “complexity and poetry,” including his First Piano Concerto. Tchaikovsky kept a travel diary and recorded these impressions of New York: "It is a huge city, not beautiful, but very original. In Chicago, I’m told, they have gone even further–one of the houses there has 21 floors!" Music Played in Today's Program Peter Tchaikovsky (1840 – 1893) Coronation March Boston Pops; John Williams, cond. Philips 420 804 Orchestral Suite No. 3, Op. 55 New Philharmonia; Antal Dorati, cond. Philips 464 747 On This Day Births 1819 - Polish composer Stanislaw Moniuszko, in Ubiel, province of Minsk, Russia; 1869 - German composer and conductor Hans Pfitzner, in Moscow, of German parents (Julian date: April 23); Premieres 1726 - Handel: opera "Alessandro," in London at King's Theater in the Haymarket, with the Italian soprano Faustina Bordini marking her London debut in a work by Handel (Gregorian date: May 16); 1917 - Debussy: Violin Sonata, in Paris, by violinist Gaston Poulet with the composer at the piano (his last public appearance); 1926 - Copland: Two Pieces ("Nocturne" and "Ukelele Serenade"), in Paris by violinist Samuel Dushkin with the composer at the piano; 1930 - Milhaud: opera "Christophe Colomb" (Christopher Columbus),at the Berlin State Opera; 1941 - Britten: "Paul Bunyan" (text by W.H. Auden) at Columbia University in New York City; 1945 - Barber: "I Hear an Army," "Monks and Raisins," "Nocturne,""Sure On This Shining Night," during a CBS radio broadcast, with mezzo Jennie Tourel and the CBS Symphony, composer conducting; 1946 - Douglas Moore: Symphony in A, in Paris; 1977 - George Crumb: oratorio "Star Child," by the New York Philharmonic, Pierre Boulez conducting; 1982 - Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Symphony No. 1, at Alice Tully Hall in New York, by the American Composers Orchestra, Gunther Schuller conducting; This work won the Pulitzer Prize in 1983; 1987 - John Williams: "A Hymn to New England," by the Boston Pops conducted by the composer (recorded by the Pops and Keith Lockhardt ); 1991 - Joan Tower: "Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman" No. 3(dedicated to Frances Richard of ASCAP), at Carnegie Hall, by members of the Empire Brass and the New York Philharmonic, Zubin Mehta conducting; 2000 - Christopher Rouse: "Rapture" for orchestra, by the Pittsburgh Symphony, Mariss Jansons conducting; 2001 - Christopher Rouse: "Rapturedux" cello ensemble, by the Royal Northern College of Music Cellists in Manchester (U.K.); Others 1891 - Carnegie Hall opens in New York City with a concert that included Beethoven's "Leonore" Overture No. 3 conducted by Walter Damrosch, and Tchaikovsky's "Marche Solennelle" (Coronation March) conducted by its composer. Links and Resources On Carnegie Hall On Tchaikovsky
Synopsis “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” Well, the usual reply is, “By practicing!” But back in 1891, Peter Tchaikovsky would have probably answered, “by ship”–since he had, in fact, sailed from Europe to conduct several of his pieces at the hall’s gala opening concerts. The first concert in Carnegie Hall, or as they called it back then, “The Music Hall,” occurred on today’s date in 1891, and included a performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Coronation March,” conducted by the composer. The review in the New York Herald offered these comments: “Tchaikovsky’s March... is simple, strong and sober, but not surprisingly original. The leading theme recalls the Hallelujah chorus, and the treatment of the first part is Handelian… Of the deep passion, the complexity and poetry which mark other works of Tchaikovsky, there is no sign in this march.” Oh well, in the days that followed, Tchaikovsky would conduct other works of “complexity and poetry,” including his First Piano Concerto. Tchaikovsky kept a travel diary and recorded these impressions of New York: "It is a huge city, not beautiful, but very original. In Chicago, I’m told, they have gone even further–one of the houses there has 21 floors!" Music Played in Today's Program Peter Tchaikovsky (1840 – 1893) Coronation March Boston Pops; John Williams, cond. Philips 420 804 Orchestral Suite No. 3, Op. 55 New Philharmonia; Antal Dorati, cond. Philips 464 747 On This Day Births 1819 - Polish composer Stanislaw Moniuszko, in Ubiel, province of Minsk, Russia; 1869 - German composer and conductor Hans Pfitzner, in Moscow, of German parents (Julian date: April 23); Premieres 1726 - Handel: opera "Alessandro," in London at King's Theater in the Haymarket, with the Italian soprano Faustina Bordini marking her London debut in a work by Handel (Gregorian date: May 16); 1917 - Debussy: Violin Sonata, in Paris, by violinist Gaston Poulet with the composer at the piano (his last public appearance); 1926 - Copland: Two Pieces ("Nocturne" and "Ukelele Serenade"), in Paris by violinist Samuel Dushkin with the composer at the piano; 1930 - Milhaud: opera "Christophe Colomb" (Christopher Columbus),at the Berlin State Opera; 1941 - Britten: "Paul Bunyan" (text by W.H. Auden) at Columbia University in New York City; 1945 - Barber: "I Hear an Army," "Monks and Raisins," "Nocturne,""Sure On This Shining Night," during a CBS radio broadcast, with mezzo Jennie Tourel and the CBS Symphony, composer conducting; 1946 - Douglas Moore: Symphony in A, in Paris; 1977 - George Crumb: oratorio "Star Child," by the New York Philharmonic, Pierre Boulez conducting; 1982 - Ellen Taaffe Zwilich: Symphony No. 1, at Alice Tully Hall in New York, by the American Composers Orchestra, Gunther Schuller conducting; This work won the Pulitzer Prize in 1983; 1987 - John Williams: "A Hymn to New England," by the Boston Pops conducted by the composer (recorded by the Pops and Keith Lockhardt ); 1991 - Joan Tower: "Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman" No. 3(dedicated to Frances Richard of ASCAP), at Carnegie Hall, by members of the Empire Brass and the New York Philharmonic, Zubin Mehta conducting; 2000 - Christopher Rouse: "Rapture" for orchestra, by the Pittsburgh Symphony, Mariss Jansons conducting; 2001 - Christopher Rouse: "Rapturedux" cello ensemble, by the Royal Northern College of Music Cellists in Manchester (U.K.); Others 1891 - Carnegie Hall opens in New York City with a concert that included Beethoven's "Leonore" Overture No. 3 conducted by Walter Damrosch, and Tchaikovsky's "Marche Solennelle" (Coronation March) conducted by its composer. Links and Resources On Carnegie Hall On Tchaikovsky
Remember record stores? Remember the thrill of turning your friends on to new music by swapping vinyl and CDs? Yeah, we do too. That’s why we’re rebooting that tradition for the digital age with our “Crate Digging” podcast series, in which we’ll search through crates of our memories to bring you a handful of album recommendations on a given theme. It’s social media in the truest sense of the term: no algorithms, no computer-generated playlist. Just jazz fans sharing records with other jazz fans. You can listen to the podcast version via the player below. Write-ups of individual albums and sample tracks follow. Welcome to the party! For this episode of Crate Digging, we have chosen some of our favorite third stream albums! Albums included: Modern Jazz Quartet, Django (Prestige, 1956) Gunther Schuller, Jumpin' in the Future (GM, 1988) Jacques Loussier, Play Bach N.1 (Decca, 1959) Charles Mingus, The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady (Impulse!, 1963) André Hodeir, Jazz et Jazz (Fontana, 1959) Various Artists, The Birth of Third Stream (Columbia, 1996) Eric Dolphy, Out There (New Jazz, 1961) John Lewis, Jazz Abstractions (Atlantic, 1961) Franco Ambrosetti, Music for Symphony and Jazz Band (Enja, 1991) Joe Lovano, Rush Hour (Blue Note, 1994) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jazziz/support
Sometimes inspiration comes like a bolt from the blue. On this edition of Watching America, we hear the story of “acquired savant” Tony Cicoria, who became musically inspired after being struck by lightning. His story was was brought to public attention in the book, “Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain,” by Oliver Sacks. We hear another inspirational musical tale from brothers James and Robert Freeman. They are musicians who come from a notably musical family. To honor their parents, the Freeman brothers commissioned 3 compositions to honor their parents, Henry and Florence Knope Freeman. The CD is titled “Three Tributes,” and the music is composed by Kevin Puts, Andrea Clearfield, and Gunther Schuller. You can find Cicoria’s “Notes From an Accidental Pianist,” which includes “Fantasia, the Lightning Sonata,” at https://music.apple.com/us/album/notes-from-an-accidental-pianist-and-composer/295902083 You can find “Three Tributes” at https://www.innova.mu/albums/james-and-robert-freeman/three-tributes
As composer Mark-Anthony Turnage turns 60, Kate Molleson talks to him about the influences he received from Oliver Knussen, Gunther Schuller and Hans-Werner Henze. He speaks candidly about continuing to want to compose pieces that challenge, and shares his thoughts about how Covid-19 might change the music scene over the coming years. In light of the recent death of George Floyd at the hands of the police in the USA, Kate reflects on the discourses of solidarity we’ve heard from within the music world and the wider issue of racism in classical music with composer Eleanor Alberga. Kate also asks Heather Wiebe from King's College London to review a new book, 'Aaron Copland's Hollywood Film Scores', by the musicologist Paula Musegades who argues that the composer used movies to try out his new 'American sound'. And we talk to Maggie Rodford, managing director of one of UK's busiest recording studios, about the impact of Covid-19 on the film and TV music recording industry.
Ep. 87: Ran Blake, pianist/composer/educator Off The Podium with Tigran Arakelyan In a career that now spans five decades, pianist Ran Blake has created a unique niche in improvised music as an artist and educator. With a characteristic mix of spontaneous solos, modern classical tonalities, the great American blues and gospel traditions, and themes from classic Film Noir, Blake’s singular sound has earned a dedicated following all over the world. His dual musical legacy includes more than 40 albums on some of the world’s finest jazz labels, as well nearly 40 years as a groundbreaking educator at Boston’s New England Conservatory. In this podcast the legendary musician and educator talks about his teachers, collaborations, Gunther Schuller and creating a new department at the New England Conservatory. He also talks about his MacArthur fellowship, George Avakian, Thelonious Monk, Oscar Peterson and his many solo albums. For more information about Ran Blake please visit his official website: https://ranblake.com/ © Off The Podium, 2020
Craig Kirchhoff is emeritus professor of conducting at the University of Minnesota. He joins the show to offer advice about conducting and teaching, and to discuss a career that included working with Frederick Fennell and the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. Topics: Craig’s lakefront cabin on the Canadian border and the legacy of Jim Croft. Craig’s background and training growing up in Milwaukee, some early teachers that influenced his career, and his first teaching jobs. Thoughts about teacher preparation and what young teachers need to be successful. Meeting Frederick Fennell, some thoughts about the great conductor, and how that changed the course of Craig’s career. Working with the Tokyo Kosei Wind Ensemble. Conducting skills and advice for young band directors who want to become better at their craft as conductors. The 80/20 rule. Links: Craig Kirchhoff Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra Mozart: Serenade No. 10 "Gran Partita" Holst: First Suite in E-flat Schwantner: Sparrows Biography: Craig Kirchhoff is professor emeritus of conducting at the University of Minnesota. Born and educated in Wisconsin, Mr. Kirchhoff brings to his position a wide knowledge of both traditional and contemporary literature. He has won critical acclaim from composers Warren Benson, Henry Brant, Michael Colgrass, Karel Husa, Libby Larsen, George Perle, Vincent Persichetti, Stephen Paulus, Verne Reynolds, Gunther Schuller, Joseph Schwantner, Steven Stucky, Elliott Schwartz, Chen Yi, and others. Mr. Kirchhoff is past president of the College Band Directors National Association and is a member of the American Bandmasters Association, the National Band Association, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and the Music Educators National Conference, and he served as the founding editor and principal advisor of the College Band Directors National Association Journal. Professor Kirchhoff has appeared as guest conductor, clinician, and lecturer throughout the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Europe, and Scandinavia. Mr. Kirchhoff is a frequent guest conductor of the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra and has recorded with them on the Kosei Publishing label. ------- Are you planning to travel with your group sometime soon? If so, please consider my sponsor, Kaleidoscope Adventures, a full service tour company specializing in student group travel. With a former educator as its CEO, Kaleidoscope Adventures is dedicated to changing student lives through travel and they offer high quality service and an attention to detail that comes from more than 25 years of student travel experience. Trust Kaleidoscope’s outstanding staff to focus on your group’s one-of-a-kind adventure, so that you can focus on everything else!
In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Frank Battisti about his views on music and music education. Known affectionately to many of his students as “Mr. B”, Battisti has led a prolific career as an educator at Ithaca High School (NY) and the New England Conservatory. Bonus features of this episode include ideas on the importance of music to the human experience and a remarkable story of an impromptu performance featuring Benny Goodman playing a student’s clarinet. Topics include: (03:02) Battisti talks about his life and professional background (05:19) The educational objectives of any academic institution (07:07) The role of music in a comprehensive education (11:32) Finding quality in repertoire selections (13:00) Getting kids to fall in love with music (21:45) Using repertoire to build and enrich audiences (24:41) Using repertoire to build lifelong consumers of music (27:47) Getting students to bring out the expressive elements of music (30:20) Better to illuminate than to shine! (35:41) The role of adjudications/contests in music education (46:41) Battisti shares stories from his career (55:47) Favorite rehearsal tactics (58:25) Why do we teach music? (01:00:26) Battisti discusses leaders that have made an impact on his life (01:13:53) Measuring the impact educators make on students (01:05:57) Advice for music educators Links: Banddirector.com Interview with Battisti - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2k1giCGTlg Battisti’s lecture at TMEA 2001 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0BC9F7znSw&list=PLB2D441350229D202 New England Conservatory Wind Ensemble Recordings featuring Battisti as conductor - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inZ1bMGHucI&list=OLAK5uy_kZQaNmdXJI8xy4HbvWVdvL4LYxNQK978s https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mEOFWHilHoCi0l3nhfu07tM1HHCilIwr8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v1XCZteVts&list=OLAK5uy_kyPcTwdJzP2d39r3UuqtB-G1Lq2yAH97E Bio: Frank Battisti began his teaching career as an instrumental teacher in the Ithaca (New York) Public Schools in 1953. He became Director of Bands at Ithaca High School in 1955 and remained there until 1967. He also served as chairperson of the Instrumental Music Department from 1961 - 67. The Ithaca High School Band, under Battisti’s direction, achieved national recognition as one of the finest and most unique high school bands in the nation. The concert band performed at the Ithaca College School of Music, Eastman School of Music, Music Educators National Conference (MENC), Mid-West National Band and Orchestra Clinic (Chicago 1965), Rockefeller Center, the New York World’s Fair (1964) and at other regional and national music events. In 1997 the John Philip Sousa Foundation selected Battisti’s Ithaca High School Concert Band for their Historic Roll of Honor of High School Concert Bands, 1920-1980. Eugene Migliaro Corporon, Director of Wind Studies at North Texas State University, hails the Ithaca High School Band under the leadership of Frank Battisti “as one of the truly great achievements of instrumental music education in the twentieth century.” From 1958 - 67, the Ithaca High School Band commissioned 24 works for band. The commissioned composers included Warren Benson, David Borden, Carlos Chavez, Barney Childs, Walter Hartley, Vincent Persichetti, Armand Russell, Alec Wilder and Pulitzer Prize in Music winners Leslie Bassett, Karel Husa, Robert Ward, Gunther Schuller. Guest soloists and conductors appearing with the Ithaca High School Band from 1955-67 included Benny Goodman, Carl “Doc” Severinson, Donald Sinta, Harvey Phiillips, The New York Brass Quintet, Jimmy Burke, Vincent Persichetti, Norman Dello Joio, Thomas Beversdorf, Clyde Roller, Frederick Fennell, William D. Revelli and Walter Beeler. Battisti was conductor of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and a faculty member at Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music from 1967 – 69. In 1969 President Gunther Schuller invited him to come to the New England Conservatory in Boston to start the wind ensemble. Under his 30 years of leadership the ensemble became recognized as one of the premiere ensembles of its kind in the United States and throughout the world. The ensemble recorded for Centaur and Albany records and its performances were broadcast over the National Public Radio Network (NPR) and other classical music radio stations throughout the United States and world. While at the Conservatory Battisti commission works from distinguished national and international composers such as Robert Ceely, John Harbison, Robin Holloway, Witold Lutoslawski, William Thomas McKinley, Michael Colgrass, Daniel Pinkham, Gunther Schuller, Robert Selig, and Sir Michael Tippett. When he retired from the Conservatory in 1999 he was named Conductor Emeritus of the NEC Wind Ensemble. Dr.Battisti has guest conducted numerous university, college, military, professional and high school bands and wind ensembles and served as a visiting teacher/clinician throughout the United States, England, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Scandinavia, Australia, China, Taiwan, Canada, South America, South Korea, Iceland and the former U.S.S.R. Past President of the U.S. College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), Battisti is also a member of the American Bandmasters Association (ABA) and founder of the National Wind Ensemble Conference, World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE), Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble (MYWE), New England College Band Association (NECBA) and the Tanglewood Institute’s Young Artists Wind Ensemble. In 1986 and 1993 Dr. Battisti was a visiting fellow at Clare Hall, Cambridge University, England. He is the recipient of many awards and honors including an Honorary Doctor of Music degree from Ithaca College in 1992 and the Ithaca College Alumni Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003, the first Louis and Adrienne Krasner Excellence in Teaching Award from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1997, the Lowell Mason Award from the Massachusetts Music Educators Association in 1998, the New England College Band Association's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic's Medal of Honor in 2001 and the National Band Director’ AWAPA in 2006.
TBJ122: Shelagh Abate on playing horn on Broadway, meeting Sting and the importance of networking. She gives us a great overview of life in a Broadway pit and what it takes to get (and stay) there. From her bio: SHELAGH ABATE is unquestionably one of New York’s most sought-after musicians. Shelagh’s love for the horn is almost as old as her love for music itself. Known for her simultaneously warm and assertive sound, her versatility and musical intuition has earned her a place in the lexicon of NYC’s busiest performers. Shelagh has opened more than one dozen Broadway productions. Among them are Mary Poppins, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, South Pacific, Honeymoon in Vegas, Evita, Fiddler on the Roof, Anastasia, and most currently Disney’s Frozen. Since arriving in New York in 2006, she has performed regularly with The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, The Mostly Mozart Festival, The American Ballet Theater, The American Symphony Orchestra, The Opera Orchestra of New York, is third horn with the Greenwich Symphony Orchestra and has been principal horn of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra under the artistic direction of Jaime Laredo since 1999. During the course of her career, she has been conducted by some of the great musicians of our time; Seiji Ozawa, Simon Rattle, Andre Previn, James Conlon, Gunther Schuller, James DePriest, Robert Spano, Carl St. Clair, John Williams, Marin Alsop, Jaime Laredo, Keith Lockhart, and Placido Domingo, to name a few. Shelagh has established fluency in the commercial realm as well as the classical, having performed as part of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Michel Legrand, the ensembles of Earl McDonald, Gary Morgan, Jamie Baum, John Allmark, John Vanore and Greg Hopkins. Shelagh has recorded, performed live in concert, as well as on televised events with Sting, The Who, Tony Bennett, Rufus Wainwright, Lady Gaga, Barry Manilow, Joni Mitchell, Trey Anastasio, Club d’Elf, Josh Groban, Brian Wilson, Linda Ronstadt, and most recently with the 2019 Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall. Chamber music has been at the very core of Shelagh’s success as a musician. A winner of the Coleman Competition (2000), and a founding member of the award-winning Triton Brass (Fischoff, Lyon & Concert Artist’s Guild, 2005), Shelagh has collaborated with her world-class and longtime colleagues in order to achieve what is only artistically possible through such an intimate medium. Together they have shared their gifts with many thousands of others through live performances, recordings, and through education. Shelagh will be returning as faculty with Triton Brass to the Boston University Tanglewood Institute for their 2019 season. She also served as faculty for more than a decade with the renown Atlantic Brass Quintet International Summer Seminar. Through these summer programs, Shelagh is proud to have influenced, shaped and enriched the lives of many dozens of tomorrow’s musicians. Shelagh is an Artist in Residence at Boston College, and The Boston Conservatory of Music where she has performed and conducted clinics and masterclasses on a regular basis since 2003. Shelagh’s early musical influences include extensive study with the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Richard Sebring, Toronto Symphony’s principal horn Neil Deland, and renowned pedagogue and performer Laura Klock. She has been a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center and with The National Repertory Orchestra. Shelagh holds a B.A. from Boston College, an M.M. from The University of Massachusetts at Amherst where she was a recipient of the Howard W. Lebow Scholarship, and an Artist Diploma from The New England Conservatory of Music, where she was a Walkenier Scholar. Shelagh is proud to be a Stephens Horns artist, playing one of the very first horns handcrafted by Stephen Shires https://www.stephenshorns.com. In this fun and lively discussion, we cover: In the Lexicon! Fun with pronunciations Amhad Rashad Baseball cards Erasers and jewelry Going to school with Andy Bove Trent Austin's bio writer Playing on Broadway eight times a week Playing Disney's Frozen Name-dropping How playing on Broadway works Dealing with repetition How the sub pool works and how to get started as a player Dormant subs Networking The impact of social media on networking Jeff Nelsen Be nice Pit orchestra size and the state of the industry Horn job pool on Broadway Horn writing rant Horn: The Cornstarch of the Orchestra Triton Brass Working with Sam Pilafian Playing with famous people from Trey Anastasio to Barry Manilow and Sting Being married to Tony Kadleck Facebrace LINKS: Shelagh's site Triton Brass Vermont Symphony Orchestra Want to help the show? Here are some ways: Unlock bonus episodes galore by becoming a Patreon patron. We just launched a brand new Brass Junkies newsletter! It will change your life. Like, it's life-changing! Subscribe today to stay in the loop on all things Brass Junkies! Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts. Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.) Buy Pray for Jens and The Brass Junkies merch at The Brass Junkies online store! Tell your friends! Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.
Last week on Big Band Bash, I started a two part series from a set from Smithsonian Collections called Big Band Jazz: From the Beginnings to the Fifties. This was a six vinyl album set or a 4 CD set produced by jazz critics and historians Martin Williams and Gunther Schuller. It is not available anymore which is why I wanted to play some of the recordings from this set. Today we will continue with music from CDs three and four. This is a varied show so I hope I play something by one of your favorites. Also, the Big Band Bash Puzzler is back. I hope you'll tune in or download the podcast. Thanks so much for listening. Please visit this podcast at http://bigbandbashfm.blogspot.com
Today we start a two part series that was put together from Smithsonian Collections. This set is no longer available but it is called Big Band Jazz: From the Beginnings to the Fifties. It was originally released as a six vinyl album set and then re-released on 4 CDs. In 1973, Smithsonian Collections released "The History of Classic Jazz". Compiled by jazz essayist and historian Martin Williams, the album featured tracks from over a dozen record labels spanning several decades and genres of American jazz, from ragtime and big band to post-bop and free jazz. But there was a flaw in this set, there wasn't any big band recordings. So to fix this, another set was released compiled by Martin Williams and Gunther Schuller that featured the Big Bands. This week I'll be playing selections from CDs one and two. There is some great music in this set and I hope you enjoy the selections. Please visit this podcast at http://bigbandbashfm.blogspot.com
I've had a busy week, and have not yet finished the episode that I meant to put out this week, about the music of pianist Bill Evans. While I was choosing music for the Evans episode, I came across this gem, a piece composed by Charles Mingus for an album called Modern Jazz Concert, put together by Gunther Schuller and George Russell, both true believers in the melding of jazz and classical music. I'll be back next week with an episode about Bill Evans, for now I hope you enjoy Charles Mingus' Revelations (First Movement) If you have questions, comments, or requests, please call the WNPM voicemail box at (424) 704-1666 or email wnpmpod@gmail.com
I'm really happy to continue this series on the pedagogues that shaped me as a violinist with a discussion about another giant in musical journey, Zvi Zeitlin. Unfortunately, Professor Zeitlin passed away in 2012, but I had a wonderful time talking about him with Michael Klotz, violist with the Amernet Quartet and Senior Instructor at Florida International University in Miami. Michael and I were colleagues in the Zeitlin studio at both Eastman and at the Music Academy of the West and, in this episode. we discuss our experience studying with Mr. Zeitlin and his lasting influence on our lives. It was a true pleasure for me to talk with Michael and I think you'll enjoy our chat! More about Michael Klotz Website: http://michaelklotzmusic.com/ Amernet String Quartet: http://amernetquartet.com/ Florida International University: http://carta.fiu.edu/music/ Heifetz International Music Institute: https://www.heifetzinstitute.org/ Biography Born in 1978 in Rochester, NY, Michael Klotz made his solo debut with the Rochester Philharmonic at the age of 17 and has since then appeared as soloist with orchestra, recitalist, and chamber musician, and orchestra principal worldwide. After a performance of the Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 with violist Roberto Diaz, the Portland Press-Herald proclaimed, “this concert squelched all viola jokes, now and forever, due to the talents of Diaz and Klotz”. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram recently proclaimed Michael Klotz to be “a superb violist, impressive, with an exceptionally attractive sound,” and the Miami Herald has consistently lauded his “burnished, glowing tone and nuanced presence.” Michael Klotz joined the Amernet String Quartet in 2002 and has toured and recorded commercially with the ensemble throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Romania, Colombia, Belgium, and Spain. Klotz has performed at some of New York's most important venues, such as Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Weill Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, MoMA, Bargemusic, and the Kosciuzsko Foundation. His festival appearances have included Seattle, Newport, Caramoor, ChamberFest Cleveland, Festival Mozaic, Great Lakes, Cervantino, Festival Baltimore, Piccolo Spoleto, Sunflower, Martha's Vineyard, Skaneateles, Virginia Tech Vocal Arts and Music Festival, San Miguel de Allende, Beverly Hills, Music Mountain, Bowdoin, Madeline Island, Sarasota, Music Academy of the West, and Miami Mainly Mozart. Passionately dedicated to chamber music, Klotz regularly performs with many of today's most esteemed artists, having appeared as guest violist with the Shanghai, Ying, and Borromeo String Quartets, the Manhattan Piano Trio, and collaborated with artists such as Shmuel Ashkenasi, Arnold Steinhardt, James Ehnes, Augustin Hadelich, Vadim Gluzman, Gary Hoffman, Carter Brey, Michael Tree, Robert DeMaine, Andres Diaz, Roberto Diaz, Joseph Kalichstein, Franklin Cohen, and Alexander Fiterstein, as well as with many principal players from major U.S. and European orchestras. In 2015 he was named a Charter Member of the Ensemble with the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth and regularly appears on this series. In 2002 and 2009, he was was invited by Maestro Jaime Laredo to perform with distinguished alumni at anniversary concerts of the New York String Orchestra Seminar in Carnegie Hall. Michael Klotz is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where he was awarded the Performer's Certificate. In 2002 he became one of the few individuals to be awarded a double Master's Degree in violin and viola from the Juilliard School. At Juilliard, he was the recipient of the Tokyo Foundation and Gluck Fellowships. His principle teachers and influences include Zvi Zeitlin, Lynn Blakeslee, Lewis Kaplan, Toby Appel, Peter Kamnitzer, and Shmuel Ashkenasi. Michael Klotz is a dedicated teacher and serves as Senior Instructor and Artist-in-Residence at Florida International University in Miami, where he teaches viola and chamber music. Klotz has recently presented highly acclaimed master classes at the New World Symphony, Cincinnati Conservatory, Cleveland Institute of Music, University of Michigan, Penn State University, University of Nevada – Las Vegas, Ithaca College, Texas Christian University, and West Virginia University. He is currently a member of the faculty of The Heifetz Institute and a viola coach at the New World Symphony. His former students currently attend and are graduates of prestigious conservatories, including the Curtis Institute of Music, the Juilliard School, Indiana University, and the Cleveland Institute of Music and are already achieving leading roles in the music world. Michael was featured in the November 2013 issue of the “Alumni Spotlight” in the Juilliard Journal and as the subject of Strad Magazine's “Ask the Teacher” column in the November 2013 issue. Michael Klotz resides in Hallandale Beach, FL with his wife Kelly and sons Jacob and Natan, as well as two dogs and a cat. ZVI ZEITLIN (1922-2012) A faculty member at Eastman from 1967 to 2012, Zvi Zeitlin (1922-2012) was revered for decades as a violinist, pedagogue, chamber musician, and champion of contemporary music. Born in Dubrovna, Belarus, Zvi Zeitlin was raised and educated in Israel. At age 11, he became the youngest scholarship student in the history of the Juilliard School, studying with Sascha Jacobsen, Louis Persinger, and Ivan Galamian. He served in the RAF (1943-46) and concertized for troops throughout the Middle East and Greece. He made concerto appearances with such great conductors as Leonard Bernstein, Pierre Boulez, Zubin Mehta, Antal Dorati, Jascha Horenstein, and Christoph von Dohnanyi, and gave frequent tours of Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Central and South America. One of Zeitlin's signature pieces was Arnold Schoenberg's fiendishly difficult, seldom performed Violin Concerto; his 1971 Deutsche Grammophon recording of this work with conductor Rafael Kubelik set the standard, and is still available. Zeitlin also premiered concertos by Gunther Schuller, Carlos Surinach, and Paul Ben-Haim, besides performing and recording a wealth of other repertoire in his long career; the Toronto Star called him “one of the violin world's grand old men, a true musical Methuselah.” Along with his solo appearances, he was a founding member of the Eastman Trio (1976-1982). Zeitlin taught annual master classes at the Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and Yehudi Menuhin School. He was a faculty member at the Music Academy of the West since 1973, and a visiting professor at Chetham's School of Music and the Royal Northern College of Music (Manchester, England) since 1992. Zeitlin was named Eastman's first Kilbourn Professor in 1976 and Distinguished Professor in 1998. In 2004, he received the University of Rochester's Edward Curtis Peck Award for Excellence in Teaching Undergraduates. Zeitlin's students occupy leading positions in major orchestras in the United States and throughout the world; hold important positions in universities and music schools worldwide; and are major prizewinners in international and regional competitions. Zvi Zeitlin died on May 2, 2012 in Rochester, at the age of 90. THANK YOU: Most sincere thank you to composer Jim Stephenson who graciously provided the show's musical theme! Concerto #1 for Trumpet and Chamber Orchestra – Movement 2: Allegro con Brio, performed by Jeffrey Work, trumpet, and the Lake Forest Symphony, conducted by Jim Stephenson. Also a HUGE thank you to my fantastic producer, Bella Kelly! MIND OVER FINGER: www.mindoverfinger.com https://www.facebook.com/mindoverfinger/ https://www.instagram.com/mindoverfinger/ If you enjoyed the show, please leave a review on iTunes! I truly appreciate your support! Visit www.mindoverfinger.com for information about past and future podcasts, and for more resources on mindful practice. Join the Mind Over Finger Tribe here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/mindoverfingertribe/
The legendary Sam Pilafian on Empire Brass, Leonard Bernstein, and life-threatening pedagogy. We talk about his life as a tubist, arranger, composer, educator, performer, producer, and mentor (and countless other descriptors) on our 100th episode. Sam Pilafian is perhaps best known as a founding member of the internationally renowned Empire Brass Quintet (1971-1993). He has also recorded and performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, the Duke Ellington Orchestra, Lionel Hampton, and Pink Floyd among others. His long career has earned him an Emmy for Excellence in Instructional Video Production, the Walt Disney Award for Imagination and Innovation in Design, the Walter Naumberg Chamber Music Award, the Harvard Music Association Prize, the University of Miami’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the Brevard Music Center Distinguished Alumni Award, the Robert Trotter Visiting Professorship at the University of Oregon and the annual Outstanding Teacher Award from Arizona State University. Sam is the co-author, with Patrick Sheridan, of the best selling pedagogy texts and DVD’s “Breathing Gym” and “Brass Gym”. Professor Pilafian previously served for 44 years on the faculties of Boston University, the Tanglewood Institute, Berklee College of Music, Frost School of Music at the University of Miami and is Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University. In this fun and lively (and tearful) discussion, we cover: The meaning of J Andrew as a student of Sam "Up an octave" story Life-threatening pedagogy The amazing story of Sam's recent battle with cancer Beating 3+ Million to 1 odds How studios turn into family Meeting Lance part 1, Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic Meeting Lance part 2, Army Band Conference Brass Band of Battle Creek Scott Hartman fruit salad Meeting Andrew, Andrew was 12 at Tanglewood Meeting Andrew, Andrew was 14 at BUTI The amazing array of young players Sam heard, coached and taught at Tanglewood Hearing Michael Sachs as a young player Leonard Bernstein and the beginnings of Empire Brass Oak trees Gunther Schuller, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Bernstein inspiring the beginnings of Empire Brass Gunther Schuller and Eugene Goossens playing name that tune Parallels with the Emerson String Quartet and how that inspired Empire Brass Finding the nucleus in the music Playing bass lines Working onstage with Alvin Ailey Dance Company at the opening of the Kennedy Center (in brown pajamas) Being Bernstein's daughter's bodyguard at the Kennedy Center reception How Empire Brass become a full-time gig Rolf Smedvig's playing A major Empire Brass blowup at Tanglewood witnessed by Andrew in 1993 How Andrew got the gig with Dallas Brass while in a lesson with Sam The line between obnoxious and oblivious Scrapshoot Winning the 1976 Naumburg Chamber Music Prize, the first brass group to do so, leading to being picked up by Columbia Artists The Empire Brass recordings Bernstein "Always go towards growth" Seeing America on tour Learning to talk on stage His teacher, Connie Weldon Coming up in Miami Frederick Fennell encouraging Sam to diversify his career LINKS: Sam's site Want to help the show? Here are some ways: Help others find the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes. Show us some love on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Help us pay the bills (and get regular bonus episodes!) by becoming a Patreon patron. Show some love to our sponsors: The brass program at The Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University and Parker Mouthpieces (including the Andrew Hitz and Lance LaDuke models.) Tell your friends! Expertly produced by Will Houchin with love, care, and enthusiasm.
What possibilities emerge when we begin to question the tacitly accepted — and easily overlooked — limits that govern who we can be and what we can do? Composer Samuel Adams, rock climber/BASE jumper Steph Davis, and arts leader Ed Yim all push past traditional limitations in their everyday lives by writing music that reaches new emotional depths, scaling cliffs and flying off of them, or making a platform for artists to create without compromise. Each of them offers a unique and insightful perspective on this question in the debut episode of Imagination Radio. Music in this episode: — Dylan Mattingly: from Stranger Love (2018) — Contemporaneous — Samuel Adams: Tension Study no. 2 (2010) — Living Earth Show — Judd Greenstein: Change (2009) — NOW Ensemble — David Moore: Broad Channel (2015) — Bing & Ruth — Samuel Adams: from Chamber Concerto: Prelude (One by One) (2017) — Karen Gomyo, violin — Samuel Adams: Shade Study (2014) — Sarah Cahill, piano — Samuel Adams: Drift & Providence (2012) — National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic & James Ross, conductor; Samuel Adams, electronics — John Lewis: Silver (1964) — John Lewis, piano; Orchestra U.S.A.; Gunther Schuller & Harold Farberman, conductors — Dan Trueman: Silicon / Carbon (2008) — Princeton Laptop Orchestra (PLOrk); American Composers Orchestra & Jeffrey Milarsky, conductor — Ólafur Arnalds: Hands, Be Still (2013) — Philip Glass: from Symphony No. 4 (1996): I. Heroes — American Composers Orchestra & Dennis Russell Davies, conductor — Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: from String Quartet No. 1, Op. 11 (1871): II. Andante cantabile — New York Philharmonic & Leonard Bernstein, conductor — Julia Wolfe: from Fuel (2007): Part II — Ensemble Resonanz & Brad Lubman, conductor — Hector Berlioz: from Symphonie fantastique, Op. 14 (1830): V. Songe d'une nuit du Sabbat — Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique & John Eliot Gardiner, conductor — Gustav Mahler: from Symphony No. 8 in E-flat, Symphony of a Thousand (1906): Accende lumen sensibus — Schola Cantorum of New York, Juilliard Chorus, Columbus Boychoir; New York Philharmonic & Leonard Bernstein, conductor — James Horner: from Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (1982) — Ludwig van Beethoven: from String Quartet in E-flat, Op. 74 (1809): I. Poco adagio; Allegro — Artemis Quartet — Samuel Adams: Quartet Movement (2016) — Spektral Quartet — Meredith Monk & Mieke van Hoek: Vow (2011) — Katie Geissinger, voice — Steve Reich: Proverb (1995) — Theatre of Voices; Steve Reich Ensemble & Paul Hillier — Dylan Mattingly: from Atlas of Somewhere (on the Way to Howland Island) (2011): II. Islanded in a Stream of Stars — Contemporaneous — Morton Feldman: String Quartet No. 2 (1983) — FLUX Quartet — Anthony Motto: Live at GGBY in Moab (2017) With gratitude and admiration, this episode is dedicated to the memory of composer, conductor, pedagogue, and family man Harold Farberman (1929-2018).
Abstract: In this episode, Karin has Dr. Susan Rogers, sound engineer of Prince as quest. They discuss musicality, difference in recording style between Michael Jackson and Prince, and posthumous releases amongst other things. REFERENCE AS: Merx, Karin and Dr. Susan Rogers. “Episode 37 – ‘Interview with Dr. Susan Rogers' ” Michael Jackson's Dream Lives On: An Academic Conversation 6, no. 37 (2018). Published electronically 21/07/18. http://sya.rqu.mybluehost.me/website_94cbf058/episode-37/. The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies asks that you acknowledge The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies as the source of our Content; if you use material from The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies online, we request that you link directly to the stable URL provided. If you use our content offline, we ask that you credit the source as follows: “Courtesy of The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies.” Episode 37 – Interview with Dr. Susan Rogers by Karin Merx Karin Merx BMus, MA, is co-founder and editor of The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies, and author of ‘A festive parade of highlights. La Grande Parade as evaluation of the museum policy of Edy De Wilde at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam'. Elizabeth Amisu, PGCE, MA, is co-founder and the former editor of The Journal of Michael Jackson Academic Studies and author of The Dangerous Philosophies of Michael Jackson: His Music, His Persona, and His Artistic Afterlife. Dr. Susan Rogers, PhD, holds a doctorate in psychology from McGill University, where she studied music cognition and psychoacoustics under researchers Daniel Levitin and Stephen McAdams. Her research focuses on auditory memory, the perception of musical signals, and the influence of musical training on auditory development. For two decades prior to her science career, Rogers was one of the world's few women known for her work as a record producer, engineer, mixer, and audio electronics technician. Career highlights include years (1983–1988) as staff engineer for recording artist Prince and working with such diverse artists as Bare Naked Ladies, David Byrne, Tricky, and Tevin Campbell. Learn more here. Our references and where you can easily find them 1. Elizabeth Amisu, The Dangerous Philosophies of Michael Jackson: His Music, His Persona, and His Artistic Afterlife (Praeger, 2016). 2. Gunther Schuller, The Swing Era: The Development of Jazz, 1930-1945 (Oxford University Press; New Ed edition, 2005).
Spending time with Jack Unzicker was a major highlight of my trip to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Jack is an assistant professor at The University of Texas at Arlington and is one of the most professionally active bassists in the region. We dig into all kinds of topics, like: what Jack's professional life looks like where the bass is headed what possibilities look like for music students private teaching modalities of practice Links to Check Out: Jack's Website Jack's UT-Arlington Faculty Page Jack and Jason chatting for Viva el Bajo Live in 2017 (YouTube) More About Jack: Jack Unzicker is the Assistant Professor of Double Bass at the University of Texas at Arlington and is a sought-after performer and educator. He has extensive and varied experience in all performance areas, from early music to contemporary, solo, chamber, and orchestral, as well as jazz and electric bass. He maintains an active performing schedule, over 300 performances since his appointment at UT Arlington in 2012. Raised in Juneau, Alaska, he began his musical studies with piano, guitar, and percussion and began performing as a professional bassist and teaching private lessons at the age of fourteen. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from the University of North Texas, where he studied solo and orchestral performance, orchestral conducting, jazz studies, and early music with Jeff Bradetich, Paul Sharpe, Bill Clay, Anshel Brusilow, Lynn Seaton, and Lenora McCroskey. Dr. Unzicker earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Western Washington University where he studied jazz studies, performance, and contemporary music with Chuck Israels, Anna Doak, and Roger Briggs. Dr. Unzicker continued his studies at the Henry Mancini Institute, working with Bertram Turetzky, Christian McBride, and John Clayton, the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors, and the Pirastro Strings Elite Soloists Program. In 2016, Dr. Unzicker was a featured soloist with the Dallas Chamber Symphony, performing Hindemith’s Trauermusik. Upcoming projects include a recording for commercial release in 2017, of an ongoing duo project. This duo project is in collaboration with Dr. Martha Walvoord, UT Arlington violin professor, and contemporary composers to commission, perform, and record new works for violin and double bass. Composers include six-time Grammy-award winner Michael Daugherty, Roger Briggs, Andrea Clearfield, Tom Knific, George Chave, and Daniel M. Cavanagh. The duo will perform a recital at the International Society of Bassists 2017 Convention in Ithaca, NY on June 10, 2017. Dr. Unzicker’s recent chamber music performances include the Adams Chamber Symphony, Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 1, 2, 3, & 6, Beethoven Septet, Bruch Octet, Ginastera Variaciones Concertantes, Prokofiev Quintet, Stravinsky L’Histoire du soldat, and Brahms Sextet in B-flat Major, Svendsen Octet, and Schubert Octet with members of the Dallas Symphony, Dallas Opera, Fort Worth Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, and professors from Rice University and the University of North Texas. Dr. Unzicker is also principal double bass of the Dallas Chamber Symphony and Santa Fe Pro Musica. As an orchestral musician, Dr. Unzicker has performed with the Artosphere Festival Orchestra, Dallas Opera, Dallas Symphony, Fort Worth Opera, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Holland Symphony, Waco Symphony, and as principal of the AIMS Festival Orchestra (Austria), Dallas Chamber Orchestra, Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Divertimento (Costa Rica), and Plano Symphony Orchestra. He has worked extensively with conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya, as well as Jaap Van Zweden, Otto Werner-Mueller, Larry Rachleff, Rossen Milanov, James Conlon, Anshel Brusilow, and Gunther Schuller. As a pedagogue, Dr. Unzicker serves on the board of the Bradetich Foundation, a double bass performance and education organization, and is the Bass Forum Editor for the journal American String Teacher. He has been featured in articles on playing and teaching the double bass in The Strad, Bass World, American String Teacher, and Strings Magazine and frequently performs, adjudicates, and presents at the International Society of Bassists, American String Teachers Association, and Texas Music Educators Association Conventions. In the summers, he performs and teaches as Artist Faculty and as the Assistant Director of the Annual Bradetich Double Bass Master Classes. Current and former students of Dr. Unzicker have been accepted to undergraduate, graduate, and summer programs at the Colburn School, Juilliard School, University of Southern California, Boston University, Indiana University, University of North Texas, Florida State University, University of Texas, North Carolina School of the Arts, New World Symphony, Curtis Institute of Music Summerfest, Aspen Music Festival and School, National Orchestral Institute, National Repertory Orchestra, Interlochen Arts Camp, Round Top Music Festival, Texas Chamber Music Institute, and the WaBass Institute. The double bass studio at the University of Texas at Arlington has proudly hosted many guest artists recently, including Artist-In-Residence Eddie Gomez, Ira Gold, Milton Masciadri, Jeff Bradetich, Brian Perry, Aaro Heinonen, and the Bassinova Quartet. Dr. Unzicker performs primarily on instruments by Daniel Hachez and Albert Jakstadt, and a bow by Reid Hudson. Contrabass Conversations is sponsored by: The Upton Bass String Instrument Company. Upton's Karr Model Upton Double Bass represents an evolution of our popular first Karr model, refined and enhanced with further input from Gary Karr. Since its introduction, the Karr Model with its combination of comfort and tone has gained a loyal following with jazz and roots players. The slim, long “Karr neck” has even become a favorite of crossover electric players. Check out this video of David Murray "auditioning" his Upton Bass! The Bass Violin Shop, which offers the Southeast's largest inventory of laminate, hybrid and carved double basses. Whether you are in search of the best entry-level laminate, or a fine pedigree instrument, there is always a unique selection ready for you to try. Trade-ins and consignments welcome! Subscribe to the podcast to get these interviews delivered to you automatically!
I am thrilled to welcome conductor Jerry Junkin to the show for a conversation about his career, how every commission provides a new opportunity, and the importance of cultivating good relationships. Topics: Jerry’s background as the son of a high school band director and being prepared to take advantage of serendipitous opportunities that helped to shape his early career. Collaborating with other musicians and how to ask a composer to work with your group. The most important bit of advice that Jerry looks to pass along to all of his conducting students at the University of Texas. Criteria for selecting literature for his concerts and advice for sifting through the large number of pieces that are released each year. Links: Jerry Junkin The University of Texas Butler School of Music Dallas Winds Senzoku Gakuen College of Music Hong Kong Wind Philharmonia Cornet Favorites, Gerard Schwarz & William Bolcom Composers and Schools in Concert The War of Art by Steven Pressfield Harvey Penick's Little Red Book Mozart: Serenade for 13 Winds in B-flat Major, K. 361 "Gran Partita" Biography: In his 25th season as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Dallas Winds, Jerry Junkin is recognized as one of the world’s most highly regarded wind conductors. He has served as Music Director and Conductor of the Hong Kong Wind Philharmonia since 2003, additionally, 2017-18 marks his 30th year on the faculty of The University of Texas at Austin, where he holds the Vincent R. and Jane D. DiNino Chair for the Director of Bands. There, he also holds the title of University Distinguished Teaching Professor. Previously, he served on the faculties of both the University of Michigan and the University of South Florida. In addition to his responsibilities as Professor of Music and Conductor of the Texas Wind Ensemble, he serves as Head of the Division of Conducting and Ensembles and teaches courses in conducting and wind band literature. He is a recipient of multiple teaching awards, and students of Mr. Junkin hold major positions throughout the world. Since 2007, he has been the Principal Guest Conductor of the Senzoku Gakuen College of Music Wind Symphony in Tokyo. Performances under the direction of Mr. Junkin have won the praise of such notable musicians as John Corigliano, David Del Tredici, Gunther Schuller, Karel Husa, William Kraft, Jacob Druckman and Michael Colgrass, among many others. Mr. Junkin has released over 30 compact disc recordings for the Reference, Klavier and Naxos labels. The New York Times named his recent release on the Reference Recordings label, Bells for Stokowski, one of the best classical CD’s of the year. His performance of Circus Maximus with The University of Texas Wind Ensemble was recently released on the world’s first Blu Ray audio disc in 5.1 surround sound by Naxos and was nominated for a GRAMMY. During the summer of 2014 he led The University of Texas Wind Ensemble on a four week tour around the world. Jerry Junkin is an enthusiastic advocate of public school music education, having conducted All-State bands and festivals in forty-eight states and on five continents. He spends his summers in residence at the Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan, as well as appearing at major music festivals throughout the world. Mr. Junkin has served as President of the Big XII Band Director's Association and is a member of the Board of Directors of The John Philip Sousa Foundation, is Past-President of the American Bandmasters Association, and is Past President of the College Band Directors National Association. Regularly making guest appearances with ensembles such as the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra and the Taipei Symphonic Winds, the 2017-18 season finds him conducting throughout the United States in addition to multiple appearances in Japan, China, and Europe. In 2005 he was presented the Grainger Medallion by the International Percy Grainger Society in recognition of his championing of Grainger’s works, and he has received numerous career awards from Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Beta Mu, and the Midwest Clinic, among others. Mr. Junkin is a Yamaha Master Educator.
In the inaugural episode of Pathways, host Adam Wolf talks with horn player of the famed Canadian Brass Bernhard Scully. They talk about routine, Canadian Brass, Kendall Betts, Gunther Schuller, and more! Pathways is hosted by Adam Wolf, produced by Siegfried's Call, Inc.
In the inaugural episode of Pathways, host Adam Wolf talks with horn player of the famed Canadian Brass Bernhard Scully. They talk about routine, Canadian Brass, Kendall Betts, Gunther Schuller, and more! Pathways is hosted by Adam Wolf, produced by Siegfried's Call, Inc.
Pianist Emanuel Ax previews his performance of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 22 with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, conductor David Hoose talks with WCRB's Alan McLellan about Brahms'sA German Requiem, and BSO Music Director Andris Nelsons compares the forthright personalities and music of Beethoven and Gunther Schuller.
Jazz is Frank Proto's native language. Growing up in Brooklyn, Frank spent his days studying with Fred Zimmermann and his nights hanging out at Birdland. I love hearing Frank describe what it was like studying with Fred. In fact, Frank's lesson slot was right after Charles Mingus. Talk about being a part of jazz history! Frank's journey from the jazz clubs of New York City to the Cincinnati Symphony is remarkable...and that's putting it mildly! Here are just a few of his many career highlights: Bassist and composer-in-residence for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Over 20 large-scale works premiered by CSO Countless shorter works and arrangements premiered by CSO Over 400 performances of Carmen Fantasy for Trumpet and Orchestra Over 500 performances of Casey at the Bat Composed music for Dave Brubeck, Eddie Daniels, Duke Ellington, Cleo Laine, Benjamin Luxon, Sherill Milnes, Gerry Mulligan, Roberta Peters, François Rabbath, Ruggerio Ricci, Doc Severinsen, Richard Stoltzman and Lucero Tena I could go on and on. Frank has impacted the world of the double bass immensely. But he has gone way beyond that. Best of all, he hasn't slowed down. In fact, he is continuing to explore new ideas and unexpected collaborations. I can't wait to see what he does next. Links to check out: Frank Proto on Wikipedia Liben Music (Frank’s publishing company) Brandeis Jazz Festival - Fred Zimmermann, Charles Mingus, Gunther Schuller, George Russell Brandeis Jazz Festival (YouTube) All About Rosie (YouTube) Harry Lookofsky: Stringsville ‘Round Midnight - Harry Lakoofsky performance (YouTube) Music featured in this episode (all written by Frank) Sonata No. 2 - with Catalin Rotaru Sonata No. 3 - with Szymon Marciniak Sketches of Gershwin - with Eddie Daniels String Quartet No. 1 Duo for Viola and Double Bass My Name is Citizen Soldier Variations on Dixie Ghost in Machine Thanks to our sponsor! This episode is brought to you by D’Addario Strings! Check out their Zyex strings, which are synthetic core strings that produce an extremely warm, rich sound. Get the sound and feel of gut strings with more evenness, projection and stability than real gut. Enter the D’Addario strings giveaway for Contrabass Conversations listeners at contrabassconversations.com/strings!
Dit weekend in Vrije Geluiden op Radio 4 allerlei mooie voorbeelden van jazz-in-klassiek. Met op zaterdag: Variants for jazz quartet and orchestra uit 1960 van Gunther Schuller, het Concert voor trompet en orkest "Nobody knows de trouble I see" van Bernd-Alois Zimmermann, en het gitaarconcert van Malcolm Arnold dat eigenlijk best wel ‘in memoriam Django Reinhardt' had kunnen heten. Wat een fraaie jazz-invloeden in een klassiek concert!
Dit weekend in Vrije Geluiden op Radio 4 allerlei mooie voorbeelden van jazz-in-klassiek. Met op zaterdag: Variants for jazz quartet and orchestra uit 1960 van Gunther Schuller, het Concert voor trompet en orkest "Nobody knows de trouble I see" van Bernd-Alois Zimmermann, en het gitaarconcert van Malcolm Arnold dat eigenlijk best wel ‘in memoriam Django Reinhardt' had kunnen heten. Wat een fraaie jazz-invloeden in een klassiek concert!
Here's another popular episode from the Contrabass Conversations archives. If you haven't check this episode out before (or even if you have), you'll be in for a real treat as we explore the world of the double bass with Mr. Barker. We’re featuring Boston Symphony Principal Bassist Ed Barker on this week’s Contrabass Conversations episode. Conducted by Contrabass Conversations co-host John Grillo, this episode features John chatting with Ed about his early years on the bass, his schooling and time spent in the Chicago Symphony prior to his appointment with the Boston Symphony, and in-depth look at articulation on the bass, and a discussion on practicing. We hope you enjoy this conversation with this modern master performer and teacher of the double bass! About Ed Barker: Edwin Barker is recognized as one of the most gifted bassists on the American concert scene. Acknowledged as an accomplished solo and ensemble player, Mr. Barker has concertized in North America, Europe, and the Far East. Edwin Barker has performed and recorded with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Chamber Players, and with the contemporary music ensemble Collage, a Boston – based contemporary music ensemble, and is a frequent guest performer with the Boston Chamber Music Society. Mr. Barker gave the world premiere of James Yannatos’ Concerto for Contrabass and Chamber Orchestra and of Theodore Antoniou’s Concertino for Contrabass and Chamber Orchestra ; he was the featured soloist in the New England premiere of Gunther Schuller’s Concerto for Double Bass and Chamber Orchestra, conducted by the composer with The Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Barker graduated with honors from the New England Conservatory in 1976, where he studied double bass with Henry Portnoi. That same year, while a member of the Chicago Symphony, he was appointed at age 22 to the position of principal double bass of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. His other double bass teachers included Peter Mercurio, Richard Stephan, Angelo LaMariana, and David Perleman. Mr. Barker was invited to inaugurate the 100th anniversary season of the Boston Symphony Orchestra with a solo performance of the Koussevitzky Bass Concerto; other solo engagements have included appearances at Ozawa Hall (Tanglewood), Carnegie Recital Hall’s “Sweet and Low” series, and at major universities and conferences throughout the world, as well as concerto performances with the Boston Classical Orchestra, the Athens State Orchestra (Greece) and with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Boston and Europe. He was a featured premiere soloist with the Boston Symphony of John Harbison’s Concerto for Bass Viol and Orchestra at Tanglewood’s 2007 Festival of Contemporary Music. Mr. Barker is an Associate Professor at the Boston University College of Fine Arts where he teaches double bass, orchestral techniques, and chamber music. His other major teaching affiliations include the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Tanglewood Music Center, where he is Chairman of Instrumental and Orchestral Studies. Edwin Barker’s solo CD recordings include Three Sonatas for Double Bass, on Boston Records, James Yannatos’ Variations for Solo Contrabass, on Albany Records, and Concerti for Double Bass, on GM Recordings, which includes bass concerti by Gunther Schuller and Theodore Antoniou. Concerti for Contrabass also includes his highly praised performance of Tom Johnson’s Failing , which was recorded live at Harvard University’s Sanders Theater. Edwin Barker’s latest solo offering on CD is a recently released performance of James Yannatos’ Concerto for Contrabass with Collage. This episode originally aired on June 6, 2009. Enjoy!
The NEC Philharmonia performs Gunther Schuller and Gustav Mahler in Jordan hall on September 30. For those that actually click on the description, you should know that the "accident" during the show ended up with a guy getting arrested outside NEC.
Dec. 17, 2011. Violinist Nicholas Kitchen of the Borromeo String Quartet and composer Gunther Schuller discuss Schuller's compositions, including String Quartet no.4, which was performed as part of the 2011 Stradivari Anniversary Concert at the Library. For transcript, captions, and more information, visit http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=6726
Mary Trunk has many titles to her name including painter, dancer, choreographer, and filmmaker and has been making documentary films for over 20 years. Her first feature length film, The Watershed, screened at over 30 film festivals worldwide and has won numerous awards. She then spent seven years filming her latest documentary Lost in Living. Another short documentary, The Past is in the Present: At Home with Gunther Schuller, co-produced with her husband Paul Sanchez, is also touring the festival circuit around the U.S., and she is currently working on a new hybrid documentary project, which will be a reflection on her past dance career and how that has influenced everything she does. Mary has a new interactive website that she is working on and also teaches film and video at three different colleges in California. In addition to all of that, she is also a mother to one daughter and living in Los Angeles, California. Key Takeaways: 02:14 – How Mary got started doing the work that she does. 04:16 – The bridge of Mary’s dancing to making documentaries. 08:50 – The relationship between choreography and filmmaking. 13:36 – How Mary stuck with making a documentary that ended up being a seven-year project. 18:11 – What Mary learned from the process of making Lost in Living. 20:49 – Transitioning from Lost in Living to The Past is in the Present. 24:51 – What Mary calls herself with all the different things that she does – businesswoman, filmmaker, etc. 30:48 – How Mary balances all of her work and family priorities. 37:38 – New projects Mary is working on. 40:26 – The most unanticipated challenge Mary is currently facing. 43:20 – We’re all struggling. Everybody has their story. Everybody has their issues. Mentioned In This Episode: The Watershed Lost in Living The Past is in the Present: At Home with Gunther Schuller This Woman’s Life Art Center College of Design Loyola Marymount University Mount St. Mary’s University UC Santa Cruz My Mother Calls Me San Francisco Art Institute Marjorie Schlossman Slamdance Film Festival
The cellist Matt Haimovitz and pianist Christopher O'Riley are quick to emphasize that their recent venture into Baroque period instruments isn't some fusty or antiquated pursuit. The duo's new album, "Beethoven, Period," was recorded at Skywalker Ranch, film director George Lucas's famous studio complex in Northern California. Instead of sheet music they played from iPads. Their Seattle launch concert took place at the Tractor Tavern, a rock club. The experience with very old instruments also forced them to rethink their approach to Beethoven's music. "All of the sudden, the relation between the cello and the piano is completely different," Haimovitz tells host Elliott Forrest. "No longer am I trying to project over the grandeur of a Steinway grand but I'm actually having to make room for the piano." "You have a lot more leeway in terms of expressivity and color, even in the sense of one note having a shape to it," added O'Riley. The album features Beethoven's complete works for cello and keyboard, with O'Riley playing on a fortepiano made in 1823 and Haimovitz outfitting his 1710 Goffriller cello with ox-gut strings, a rosewood tailpiece and a period bow. The duo's performance in the WQXR studio marked a return to (mostly) modern equipment – with a 1940's Steinway and a modern cello bow – but two movements from the Opus 102 No. 2 sonata had a lightness and transparency that suggested time diligently spent in the period-instrument camp. As Haimovitz notes, the Opus 102 sonatas "offer a window into Beethoven's late period where he's deconstructing all of the ideas of the enlightenment and what he inherited from Haydn and Mozart and really finding his own voice complete." Below is the third movement. O'Riley and Haimovitz have previously collaborated on "Shuffle. Play. Listen" (2012), an album of pieces by classical composers (Stravinsky, Janacek, Martinu) along pop acts (Radiohead, Cocteau Twins, Arcade Fire), among others. Both artists have sought to blur the lines between pop and classical over the past decade or more – since Haimovitz began playing Bach in bars and clubs in 2002 and O'Riley started arranging arty rock songs around the same time. Together the duo is planning a future project of pop songs given classical reworkings by contemporary composers. According to O'Riley, it will include John Corigliano's resettings of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell songs; Philip Glass arranging the Velvet Underground; and Gunther Schuller taking on the band Guided by Voices. A recording is expected to be out this fall. Haimovitz and O'Riley also don't shy away from lush, romantic works as well, as their final performance in the WQXR studio demonstrates: the Andante from Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata, Op. 19. Watch that below and listen to the full segment at the top of this page. Video: Kim Nowacki; Sound: Irene Trudel; Text & Production: Brian Wise; Interview: Elliott Forrest
May 2, 2014. Serge Koussevitzky championed the music of his time throughout his career, and the Foundation established in his name has continued to support the music of living composers since his death in 1951. Members of the foundation board (James Kendrick, Fred Lerdahl, Gunther Schuller, Fred Sherry) discuss the conductor and composer's legacy with former Library staff member Jon Newsom. For transcript, captions, and more information, visit http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=6480
He played with Miles Davis, was principal horn of the Cleveland Symphony at age 18, is the co-creator of the “third stream” movement and so much more. Seth talks with Schuller about his incredible life and legacy in music. Hosted by Seth Boustead Produced by Jesse McQuarters Gunther Schuller: Conversations Modern Jazz Quartet & Beaux Arts String Quartet Schuller: Of Reminisces and Reflections Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra/Bernardi Schuller: Abstraction Beaux Arts String Quartet + Ornette Coleman, sax; soloists Schuller: String Quartet No. 3, III Emerson String Quartet Schuller: Little Blue Devil from Seven Studies on Themes of Paul Klee Minneapolis Symphony/Dorati
We’re featuring Boston Symphony Principal Bassist Ed Barker on this week’s Contrabass Conversations episode. Conducted by Contrabass Conversations co-host John Grillo, this episode features John chatting with Ed about his early years on the bass, his schooling and time spent in the Chicago Symphony prior to his appointment with the Boston Symphony, and in-depth look at articulation on the bass, and a discussion on practicing. We hope you enjoy this conversation with this modern master performer and teacher of the double bass! About Ed Barker: Edwin Barker is recognized as one of the most gifted bassists on the American concert scene. Acknowledged as an accomplished solo and ensemble player, Mr. Barker has concertized in North America, Europe, and the Far East. Edwin Barker has performed and recorded with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Chamber Players, and with the contemporary music ensemble Collage, a Boston – based contemporary music ensemble, and is a frequent guest performer with the Boston Chamber Music Society. Mr. Barker gave the world premiere of James Yannatos’ Concerto for Contrabass and Chamber Orchestra and of Theodore Antoniou’s Concertino for Contrabass and Chamber Orchestra ; he was the featured soloist in the New England premiere of Gunther Schuller’s Concerto for Double Bass and Chamber Orchestra, conducted by the composer with The Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Barker graduated with honors from the New England Conservatory in 1976, where he studied double bass with Henry Portnoi. That same year, while a member of the Chicago Symphony, he was appointed at age 22 to the position of principal double bass of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. His other double bass teachers included Peter Mercurio, Richard Stephan, Angelo LaMariana, and David Perleman. Mr. Barker was invited to inaugurate the 100th anniversary season of the Boston Symphony Orchestra with a solo performance of the Koussevitzky Bass Concerto; other solo engagements have included appearances at Ozawa Hall (Tanglewood), Carnegie Recital Hall’s “Sweet and Low” series, and at major universities and conferences throughout the world, as well as concerto performances with the Boston Classical Orchestra, the Athens State Orchestra (Greece) and with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Boston and Europe. He was a featured premiere soloist with the Boston Symphony of John Harbison’s Concerto for Bass Viol and Orchestra at Tanglewood’s 2007 Festival of Contemporary Music. Mr. Barker is an Associate Professor at the Boston University College of Fine Arts where he teaches double bass, orchestral techniques, and chamber music. His other major teaching affiliations include the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Tanglewood Music Center, where he is Chairman of Instrumental and Orchestral Studies. Edwin Barker’s solo CD recordings include Three Sonatas for Double Bass, on Boston Records, James Yannatos’ Variations for Solo Contrabass, on Albany Records, and Concerti for Double Bass, on GM Recordings, which includes bass concerti by Gunther Schuller and Theodore Antoniou. Concerti for Contrabass also includes his highly praised performance of Tom Johnson’s Failing , which was recorded live at Harvard University’s Sanders Theater. Edwin Barker’s latest solo offering on CD is a recently released performance of James Yannatos’ Concerto for Contrabass with Collage.