A spoof for Christmas

An unpublished story from the “Tales of Joan at Bard” from the final spoof, Harry Partch and the Deadly Hockets: Der Leiermann seht die beiden Loreleiamfernsehermensch (The Organ Grinder who watched Gilmore Girls)

At the edge of Hollywood Bowl village near Hogwoods, Grant-Lee Phillips plays a hurdy gurdy. None of the students pay attention, jinx him, and even Serious Gerard Schwarz in canine form, barks at him. But he continues to perform, and our Harry Partch decides he too, might do well with some improv. The parallel fifths and awful quodlibets pair well with the poor online sales of Phillips, and concludes the cycle with an eerily unfinished feel perfectly in character with the lonely wandering of the musician.

Der Leiermann seht die beiden Loreleiamfernsehermensch (The Organ Grinder who watched Gilmore Girls
Over beyond the Hollywood Bowl village
Stands an organ-grinder,
And with numb fingers
He plays as best he can.

Barefoot on the ice,
He totters here and there,
And his little plate
Is always empty.

No one listens to him,
No one notices him,
And Serious growls
Around the young man.

And he just lets it happen,
As it will,
Plays, and his hurdy-gurdy
Is never still.

Strange man,
Shall I go with you?
Will you play your organ
To my baton with a tail feather from Drumandbuglecorps's firebird, Igor?

For another fine edition of Danse Macabre

Five Things about Orchestra of St. Luke's

I heard the Orchestra of St. Luke's with Roberto Abbado and violinist Joshua Bell Sunday afternoon at Carnegie Hall.

1. The program began with a new reworking of Joan Tower's String Quartet, In Memory for string orchestra. It certainly plays on the strengths of St. Luke's, with plenty of delicate passages along with powerful lines, all played musically in this new setting. If history repeats itself, Joan will win the Pulitzer Prize for Music with it, ala John Corigliano's Second Symphony/String Quartet. In Memory is certainly deserving!

2. Josh Bell then played a rousing Barber Violin Concerto. It was just right, not too fast, not too slow, nice balances and beautifully phrased.

3. After intermission came the world premiere of Jay Greenberg's Violin Concerto. It's a one movement work that has brilliant orchestra colors. In fact, the orchestral part is far more engaging than the violin part. Greenberg, a fifteen year old composer, has made great levels of improvement from his Fifth Symphony and String Quintet. The Violin Concerto is much more of an individual voice and has much promise, I've heard rumors of more orchestral and concerti commissions - hear hear!

4. The program finished on a high note, Haydn's Symphony #93. This "London" Symphony also showed off the OSL to it's musical strengths: long, well crafted phrases, spot on ensemble and good humor (kudos to the bassoons and timpani!) Hearing Haydn with the Orchestra of St. Luke's is a hallmark of Western Civilization. In a word, divine.

5. I must point out what a joy Roberto Abbado is on the podium. He gives his all for the music. And it was evident in every piece, how much he loved the music, and the result was wonderful. As the World Series names an MVP, Sunday afternoon would have surely named Abbado for OSL.

OSL will be back @ Carnegie with Helene Grimaud with music by Beethoven and Ades - don't miss it!

lolcat Joan Tower

Enjoy!
And get her new recording of Made in America!!!

Five Things about Blair McMillen

I caught a recital at the Italian Academy at Columbia University (officially the Italian Academy for Advanced Studies in America) last night in NYC. The program was part of the "Music for a New Century" - Works composed since 2000, with pianist Blair McMillen.
1. I thought I might see one or two of the composers at the concert - after all, Blair is the pianist for the DaCapo Players, so I wondered. As I was out front enjoying a cigarillo, Joan Tower showed up with friends, and we chatted. Later, inside, Derek Bermel sat behind me and we chatted - he pointed out Anthony Tommasini and Fred Hersh to me.
2. The program showed no intermission, and really didn't need one - the five pieces were diverse but not terribly long. Blair took some time in between, which was just right. The order was delightful too: Steven Stucky, Barbara White, The new Goldberg variations (including the original aria and 4 new variations by Stanley Walden, Fred Hersh, Mischa Zupko, and Derek Bermel), Marco Stroppa and Joan Tower.
3. Listening to piano works by composers you know is certainly interesting, especially when it is their chamber music or orchestral scores you are familiar. I have new respect for many of them now - hmmm, maybe new insight is a better word, I still respect them.
4. This program is one of the finest treats I've had, and it was free. While the 50 or 60 people in the audience were appreciative and didn't make it less appealing, I'm a little suprised that it wasn't better attended. Why is that?
5. Blair included two encores, "In the rain" by Barbara White, again from her "Reliquary" and "Sexy" from Kyle Gann's "Private Dances" - both short and sweet. It was a fitting end to a rockin' recital.
The next concert is May 2nd, 2007 with Kathleen Supove and Jennifer Choi. Email Rick Whitaker or call him at 212 854 1623 for free tickets (and tell him John Clare sent you!)