Mark O'Connor 50 years

Congrats and happy birthday today to Mark O'Connor, fifty years young!
Thought you might enjoy an interview we did a few years ago at his place in NYC:
mp3 file








Here is some of Mark's artistry:

Classical Review: Americana Symphony

The latest from OMAC is Mark O'Connor's Americana Symphony. The release has O'Connor's Symphony No. 1 "Variations on Appalachia Waltz" and his Concerto No. 6 "Old Brass." Simply put, it is music that reflects the hope of our nation and times.
O'Connor brilliantly builds on his own music in his symphony. Each movement embraces a different aspect of our country, from dances and jigs to scenes of the sky, sun and open spaces. After numerous performances around the country (and I expect there to be many more as this release is heard by managers and audiences alike) the Baltimore Symphony recorded the Americana Symphony with director Marin Alsop. Let's hope Mark pens at least eight more of them! The other work featured is O'Connor's sixth concerto. It was inspired by a Frank Lloyd Wright plantation in South Carolina. If there is one thing that can out shine Mark O'Connor's composition, it is Mark O'Connor's violin playing. O'Connor fiddles, twangs and charms his melodies in brilliant orchestrations with the Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra. Set as a traditional concerto as fast-slow-fast, there is nothing formulaic about it.
I was pleased to interview Mark in the fall of 2007, hear him live in 2008, and talk again this last December about this project and what is coming up in the new year. Take a listen to our interview over on the KPAC blog.

O'Connor stormin'

Mark O'Connor played the most captivating solo violin recital in the Forum in Harrisburg this afternoon.
Breathtaking playing culminating with his six solo Caprices, written to blend styles while he was a studio player in Nashville, ended the first half of the Wednesday Music Club benefit. Duties as Secretary/Treasurer of NABET/CWA Local 213 forced me to leave at intermission, but I'll see him later this month in NYC with his Hot Swing Trio.
Also stunning this afternoon was the weather, which at times blinded the road with snow squalls, and at other times appeared to have sunshine with snow flurries.