In The Loop | Apr 28, 2007

Violinist STANI DIMITROVA will be presenting her Masters graduation recital tomorrow evening, April 29, at Juilliard's Paul Hall. The concert has an early start time: 6pm. Stani will be performing works by Franck, Brahms, Lutoslawski, and Ravel. The concert is free and open to the public.

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JOSPEH PEHRSON writes: "I am happy to announce that NYCC member CESAR VUKSIC will be premiering a piece of mine at Brooklyn Conservatory on Saturday, May 3 at 8PM. The piece is "Transpian" for piano and electronics in the "near just intonation" scale of "Blackjack" that I frequently use. This piece, I feel, is quite resonant and challenging for the pianist.  I'm glad I'm not trying to play it myself (ha, ha...)

 

Also on the concert are compositions by Brahms, Vuksic, Jerome David Goodman, Bartok and Debussy. Brahms, Bartok and Debussy did not object to having the Pehrson work on the program...

 

To get to the Brooklyn Conservatory, please take the "Q" Train express to 7th Avenue station in Brooklyn. That's 3 blocks away from the destination:  Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, 58 Seventh Avenue, Brooklyn. 

Looking forward to seeing you there!"

Cesar also writes in with a practical matter: admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students/seniors.

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STANI DIMITROVA will premiere RICHARD RUSSELL's first Violin Sonata on May 11 at 3pm, with Jenny Huang gracing the piano. The venue is the historic Blessed Sacrament Church at 152 West 71 in Manhattan. Also on the bill is SOFIA DIMITROVA who will be performing a special piano/vocal arrangement of Rich's Three Elegies. Other pieces are by Mozart, Saint-Saëns, and new pieces by Evan Lewis and Raphael Fusco. The performance is being presented by the Musica Bella Orchestra. Suggested donation is $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors.

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Although there's admittedly not much connection between this event and the New York Composers Circle, fans of new music will want to know that this week Mannes College of Music is hosting its annual Contemporary Music Festival, highlighting the works of composer-in-residence Jennifer Higdon. Monday (Apr 28) the Mannes Percussion Ensemble performs. Tuesday (Apr 29), Madeline Shapiro's NewMusicMannes Ensemble performs (with soprano TIFFANY DUMOUCHELLE on the bill). Wednesday (Apr 30) the CIRCE Chamber Ensemble performs, and Thursday (May 1) the Mannes Orchestra performs. A work or two of Jennifer Higdon is programmed each evening, and the programs feature works by faculty, along with student works that have been coached by Higdon over the last academic year. Each concert starts at 8pm and is free and open to the public. Mannes is at 150 West 85th Street. For specific programs, call 212-580-0210 ext. 4817, or email Rich Russell at RussellR@newschool.edu.

In The Loop | April 15, 2008

ROGER BLANC will present a lecture next week, "Music Preparation: Life in the Trenches" under the auspices of the Manhattan Producers
Alliance. In this three hour discussion, Roger will discuss his
experiences handling music preparation for major motion pictures, A-
list recording artists, late-night television shows and jingles.
Specific topics will include advice relating to workflow tracking,
client communications, and analysis of recorded music for purposes of
notational presentation (along with the occasional war story).

Time: Tuesday, April 22nd, 6:30-9:30pm
Location: Manhattan Producers Alliance
Space is still available!
Registration closes on 04/21/2008.
$75.00
The Manhattan Producers Alliance is located at:
13 West 36th Street, Suite 800 (buzzer #8)
New York, NY 10018
(212) 465-8540

To register go to:
http://www.manhattanproducersalliance.com/index.php?s=education&p=seminar_info&id=14

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JOSEPH PEHRSON sends the following press release about the next
Composers Concordance concert: On Friday, May 2, 2008 at 8PM at the
Greenwich House Music School, 46 Barrow Street in New York City, the
Composers Concordance springs into action with a varied concert that
celebrates the natural world, and a bit of the supernatural. John
Adams, Hallelujah Junction for two pianos is a work inspired by the
name of a truck stop on Highway 49 at the California-Nevada border.
Intricate rhythms proclaim this joyous and funky location. The work
will be performed by Judith Olson and Paul Hoffmann on pianos.

Another natural scene is depicted by Robert Martin in his Across the
Open Land from his duo instrumental collection, Watercolors. Erin
Lesser, flute and Victoria Paterson, violin, will speak this interplay.

Real singing and speaking will be heard from Jody Redhage, celebrated
for her ability to sing while playing cello in her performances and
who asks composers to write specifically for cello with voice. She
will be singing and playing Ted Hearne's Warning Song.
We go from the natural to the dramatic with Masks for solo flute by
Oliver Knussen, as performed by the virtuouso performer and new music
champion Erin Lesser. Through three different stage positions,
Knussen shows the many faces of new music in a miniature mono-drama.

The speaking theme continues with poetry recitation in Anton Rovner's
Evening Bent the Branches for voice and piano: 9 poetry recitations
by Linda Past with piano by Nataliya Medvedovskaya.

We swing into spring with the premiere of a new piece by Patrick
Hardish, Solo for Pete, written for percussionist Peter Jarvis, who
will be playing drum set. In this piece there is some influence from
the solos of jazz greats Buddy Rich and Louie Bellson.

Even more percussion is in store with a performance by composer Robert
Paterson of his own composition for marimba, Piranha. Paterson has
perfected the astonishing technique of six-mallet marimba playing,
which will be shown in this work. His wife, the distinguished
violinist Victoria Paterson, will join him in a second piece, Braids,
for violin and marimba for a true matrimony of sounds.

Tickets are $12, $10 Students/seniors, A reception will follow the
concert. We look forward to seeing you there!

In The Loop | Apr 11 2008

Congratulations to RICHARD BROOKS, whose Coeur di Lion, Mon Coeur was performed by lark ascending at the Austrian Cultural Forum earlier this week.

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ROGER BLANC will perform live at Gizzi's Coffee Bar 7:00-8:00 PM, Saturday, April 12 (with Brian O'Neill). There's a $3 cover charge. Gizzi's Coffee Bar is at 16 W 8th Street (west of 5th Ave., east of Macdougal) and the number is (212) 260-9700

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NOAH HAVERKAMP-FRERE is joining the Brooklyn Emerging Artists at NY Citi Theatre and Media at 1462 Southern Boulevard in the Bronx on April 26 for a new music concert (there may be a little rock-and-roll thrown in as well). Noah will have one or two compositions performed, and will improvise at the piano as well. The Brooklyn Emerging Artists group is a group of, well, emerging artists living in Brookln! The festivities get underway at 7pm.

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EUGENE MARLOW, NYCC's Director, Media Relations and Membership Coordinator, reports he is a recipient of a travel scholarship to attend the June 11-14, 2008 National Performing Arts Convention in Denver, Colorado. He says, "Together with some funding from Baruch College, I think I have my expenses covered. Of greater importance, I will attend this convention wearing two hats: officially, as senior co-chair of the Milt Hinton Jazz Perspectives concert series at Baruch (how do we attract more students to our concerts?) and as a member of the NY Composers Circle." If anyone has a comment they would like to pass along to Gene, he invites some feedback. "The focus of the convention is essentially building audiences for the arts. What issues should I have in mind while I travel through the convention meetings? The classical world will be there."

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JOSEPH PEHRSON's Spinner can be watched (and listened to!) on YouTube. The performance is at the Moscow Performers Union from March. Head to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dmHte0o6Lo

April 13 Salon Program

Here is the program of events scheduled for the Sunday Salon this weekend,
April 13th Salon at the Ellington Room, 2:00 p.m.
 
Program
 
1.  Discussion of Organizational Matters and Reports
 
2.  Audio-Visual Presentation
 
Member Composer Cesar Vuksic will be presenting the DVD of his Queens Rhapsody (produced and already aired by Queens Public Television).  He will also be sharing with us his motivating purpose for creating this work.
 
3.  Audition of Members' Works
 
Tamara Cashour -- Girly Hurly Burly for SSAA women's choir, 2 violins, synthesized bagpipe and piano (DVD) (recently premiered by NY Treble singers)  6-1/2 minutes 
 
Joseph Pehrson -- Spinner for clarinet,bassoon, violin and cello (DVD) (premiered recently at the Moscow Composers Union, Russia)  9 minutes
 
Roger Blanc -- Symphonic Movement (early recording by the Juilliard Orchestra)  9 minutes
 
Noah Haverkamp-Frere -- String Quartet (read by the Portland String Quartet)  9 minutes

Inessa Segal -- Subway Ride for flute, trumpet and cello  6:08 minutes
 
Don Hagar --  Little Suite for piano solo, (Geoffrey Burleson performing)  _ minutes
 
4.  Conclusion and Refreshments

In The Loop | Mar 28, 2008

Many of you have already heard the exciting news that ELLIOTT CARTER will be the NYCC's honorary member in the 2008-09 season. Joining our prestigious roster of prior honorary members, TANIA LEON, EZRA LADERMAN, JOHN EATON, PAUL MORAVEC, as well as this year's current honoree, DINU GHEZZO, Elliott Carter is "perhaps this country's most celebrated and esteemed creator and steadfast champion of new music" in the words of our Executive Director, JOHN DE CLEF PIÑEIRO. We are delighted to have him on board. (The full letter from John can be found at nycomposerscircle.blogspot.com)

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Upcoming NYCC dates for your calendar:
Sunday Salon: April 13 @ 2pm, Ellington Room at Manhattan Plaza (400 West 43, 2nd Floor)
Sunday Salon: May 18 @ 2pm, Ellington Room at Manhattan Plaza (400 West 43, 2nd Floor)
May Concert: May 20 @ 8pm, Frederick Loewe Theater at NYU, 35 West 4 Street ($15 Suggested donation)

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Although the run has started already, there is still time to catch JILL FRERE in Empty Room, Thursday March 27 - Saturday 29th at 8pm. 3 nights only! The choreographer, Alethea Adsitt writes: "We have been working on this for a year-and-a-half, and are eager to share it with
you. The piece has grown to quite the amazing journey, with incredible performers, video, sound, lighting, scenery, and everyone involved moves me so much. "
The Performance Project @ University Settlement
184 Eldridge Street, (at Rivington), New York, NY 10012 F/V to 2nd
Ave, B/D to Grand
Tickets $15 For Reservations Call: 212-453-4532
www.universitysettlement.org/what/arts.html

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JENNIFER GRIFFITH lets us know more about Opera After Hours, a subversive evening of opera and song. Featuring two works by Jennifer: The Dressing Room and Dream President, the evening will also feature Daniel Felsenfeld's The Bloody Chamber. The dates are April 11 and 17, 8pm, at the Zipper Theater, 336 West 37 between 8th and 9th Avenue. Much more info, including ticket reservations, at www.zippertheater.com, or call 212-352-3101.

In The Loop | Mar 7, 2008

A large congrats and thanks to all who participated in our recent CONCERT AT THE SYMPHONY SPACE THALIA on February 23. Our producer, PATRICIA LEONARD, must be singled out for the exemplary work she did in crafting a seamless evening of music. Thanks also to GENE MARLOW for stepping in to emcee the evening. If you were not able to make it, pictures are available at nycomposerscircle.org (click on "Photos via Flickr" link in the upper right of the home page.) There are also some pics posted from our December concert at Baruch.

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Our MARCH SALON is being held this Sunday, March 9, from 2-5pm, at the Ellington Room at Manhattan Plaza, 400 West 43rd Street. Thanks as always to GENE MCBRIDE for his assistance in securing this great room!

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KEVIN MCCARTER has a premiere of a choir piece tomorrow, Saturday. The Manhattan Choral Ensemble will premiere "As the Earth Brings Forth Her Bud" and new works by George Steel and Andrew Megill on their Saturday, March 8, concert, 8 p.m. at Earl Hall, Columbia University. The chorus website, www.ManhattanChoralEnsemble.org, has a link to a map showing how to walk to Earl Hall on the Columbia campus.

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JILL FRERE will be one of the featured dancers in an upcoming production of an old opera. Dido & Aeneas are a modern celebrity couple in this updated version of Henry Purcell’s 1689 opera. DIDO & AENEAS, March 19, 2008 at 7:30 PM at LaGuardia Performing Arts High School. Choreography: Jody Oberfelder; Dancers: Gina Bashour, Aditi Dhruv, Jill Frere, Elise Knudson, Rebekah Morin, Jake Szczypek, Ed Rice, and Carlton Ward.Featuring the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and the LaGuardia Performing Arts High School Senior Chorus More info, including ticket information, at jodyoberfelder.com

In The Loop | Feb 22, 2008

Tomorrow is the big day! Our second concert of the season is Saturday, February 23, featuring works by RICHARD BROOKS, PATRICIA LEONARD, DONALD HAGAR, CARL KANTER, and CHRISTOPHER MONTGOMERY. The venue is the Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space, Broadway at 95th. The concert starts at 7:30 pm, and tickets are $15. A bargain for great new music!

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Good news from TAMARA CASHOUR. She won first prize in the New York Treble Singers 2007 Composition Contest "For Women Only". Her winning composition, entitled GIRLY HURLY BURLY, will be world-premiered April 1, 2008 by NYTS, at Christ and St. Stephens Church, Manhattan. The composition, scored for Womens Choir (SSAA), 2 violins, piano and "special surprise instrument", is a setting of the witches' Act I opening scene and Act IV cauldron song from The Scottish Play ... uh;... MACBETH ! The piece also includes both speaking and singing roles for soloists.

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Tonal Center Trio, a trio comprised of TIFFANY DUMOUCHELLE (soprano), STEPHEN SOLOOK (percussion), and Adam Berokwitz (clarinet), will premiere RICHARD RUSSELL's new comic (yet dramatic!) piece, The Duel, next Friday, February 29. This concert is sponsored by the Lawyers Orchestra, and is being presented by their concert series, Friday Evening Chamber Music. The concert has a rush hour start time: 6pm, and the venue is the Bar Association, 42 West 44 Street (between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.) Other composers on the bill are Gordon Stout, David Maslanka, David Loeb, Frederic Rzewski, and Ney Rosauro. (An admission charge is still being determined, but estimate $15.)

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JOSPEH PEHRSON writes: The Composers Concordance is taking its act to the streets of the new Harlem and the upscale Settepani Restaurant, 196 Lenox Avenue  (Malcolm X Blvd.) at 120 Street, NYC on Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 8PM.  Come be part of this historic and revitalized area as we break bread (they feature their breads) with the B3+ ensemble, a dynamite brass trio consisting of legendary bass trombonist Dave Taylor, Austrian trumpet-composing genius Franz Hackl and the ultimate virtuoso John Clark on horn. We have commissioned composers to write new works for the occasion:  some acoustic, some acoustics and electronic, and all fun.  Every note is new, and all the composers will be there to talk about their works, stand by the bar, and take it out to the streets of Harlem. Composers include Charles Coleman, Dan Cooper, James Holt, Chris McIntyre, Joseph Pehrson, Gene Pritsker, Laura Schwendinger, Daniel Wohl and the three members of B3+! This is going to be a good time and a new space for works of our time. Come be a part of it. Tickets are $10. www.composersconcordance.org.

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Two New Chamber Operas by MARTIN HALPERN. Following up on its enthusiastically received production of Martin Halpern's chamber operas in October, 2007, the Brooklyn Music School Playhouse will present the world premieres of two new chamber operas by Mr. Halpern on Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8 at 8 P.M. and on Sunday, March 9 at 3 P.M.

The first opera, The Dwarf Trees, based on a Japanese Noh drama, will again feature soprano Judith Barnes, artistic director of Brooklyn's Vertical Player Repertory opera company, and veteran VPR tenor Aram Tchobanian. Baritone Nathan Baer, a winner in this year's Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, will join them in his debut appearance at BMS. Instrumentalists will be Jill Sokol, flute, and Brian Snow, cello. Ms. Barnes and Mr. Baer, together with bass-baritone Peter Ludwig, will also be featured in the second opera, The Damned Thing, based on a radio play of Mr. Halpern which has won the Bronze Windmill Award from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Instrumentalists will be Jill Sokol, flute, and Yuliya Basis, piano. The production will be staged by Elizabeth Falk, with sets and lighting by Michael Broughton and costumes by Dixie Rich. Mr. Halpern will again be music director and will again introduce both operas with a description of their dramatic and musical intentions.
The Brooklyn Playhouse is located at 126 St. Felix Street, right around the corner from the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) and a minute's walk from the Atlantic Avenue stop of the 2, 3, 4, 5, R and Q trains and the Long Island Railroad. There is also ample parking at the lot across from BAM. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and students. They may be reserved online by calling 718-638-5660, Extension 10.