Giving Thanks: Stucky

This Thanksgiving, we're sharing thankful classical thoughts. I wanted to share music and composers I am thankful for:

Composer Steve Stucky hails from Hutchinson, KS and grew up in Waco, TX. A violist and composer, Steve won the Pulitzer Prize in 2005.  We talked soon after, although he had been on my short list of composers for Composing Thoughts.  Later that year, he introduced me to a cellist who was performing in the area and was premiering a work of his.  Elinor and I connected and Steve let us broadcast the premiere! That summer I met up with Steve and Elinor in Itaca where Steve lived.

We became fast friends and have stayed in touch ever since. There were many more trips to Ithaca and we'd meet up in NYC or Dallas.  Currently Steve is chairman of the American Music Center and I was just elected to the board last May.

Steve still visits Texas and we we snapped this photo in Main Plaza downtown last November.  He'll be in Dallas again this week for his Rhapsodies and next May before the Carnegie Hall premiere of his August 4th, 1964.

Steve writes powerful and passionate music that I am grateful for and enjoy studying.

What music or composers are you thankful for? Let me know in the comments!

Interview in Big D

I had a chance to talk with Steven Stucky and Gene Scheer about "August 4, 1964" in Dallas.

In Dallas

Wonderful performance last night of "August 4, 1964." Look for the review over on Sequenza21 - but here are the snaps from last night!

Me with Steven Stucky and Gene Scheer

Maestro van Zweden and me

The vocal soloists and the creators

John with friends in the green room

New piece in Dallas

Take a look at what is coming up in Dallas next month!

DinDin

A good time was had by all and all were had by the good time last night at ZaZa's Cucina.

Steve, Izzy, Jann and I started with drinks and snacks at Steve's apartment and then went to dinner. The wines were notable, especially the Newton 2002 Chardonnay, and the red Sassicaia from Esa-Pekka. Unfortunately the Barolo was past its due, but was great in its day.

Food and service were excellent, and afterwards we had some single malts and Preferidos from La Aurora.

Read about my previous adventure at Zaza's here.

Radical Light

Steven Stucky has a world premiere Thursday in LA, Radical Light. It's dedicated to Elinor Frey, pictured here with Steve this last July in western NY.

Hear Steven talk about composition and works here.

Here's a portion of the interview, about Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Phil.

Elinor gave the world premiere of Stucky's Dialoghi, which you can hear here.

5 Things about Cazenovia Counterpoint

I attended the Saturday night concert of the Society for New Music in Cazenovia, NY.

1. The evening began with the premiere of Sean Shepherd's Preludes. These three works were interesting and captivating, and in the best sense, pianist Sar Shalom Strong seemed to be creating them as the performance went along.

2. Next cellist Elinor Frey eloquently explained and then presented Kaija Saariaho's solo cello piece Sept Papillons (seven butterflies). To say that Frey conveyed passion and technique well beyond her years is an understatement, she clearly has a connection and understanding of this work. It was a great teaser for the premiere later on the program.

3. Next were two works by a dear composing friend of mine, Augusta Read Thomas. These performances of Rumi Settings & Caprice weren't as polished as I wished they might have been, nor were they as exciting as the notes written. That said, it was nice to have them on this program.

4. Up next were the premiere of 4 Episodes for Clarinet and piano by Fred Cohen. I've not heard Fred's music before and want to hear more. I was less than entertained or engaged by these works - maybe an intermission would have helped here. In any case, the material was not unpleasant, perhaps some prunning would be in order.

5. The evening finished with Pulitzer Prize winning composer Steven Stucky. The premiere of his Dialoghi and a combination of all the performers on this program (2 violins, viola, cello, clarinet & piano) in his Partita-Pastorale after J.S.B.. Elinor Frey was back for the Dialoghi, with a few remarks by the composer. It was short and sweet, poetic and a conversation that made you smile and think. The performance alone was worth the ticket price and travel time! The Partita is a perfect closer and left the audience pleased, ready for snacks and beverages at the reception afterwards.

It was a charming, well varied program and was glad to hear it. Portions will be heard on Composing Thoughts later!

Important note! You can actually see and hear Frey on the Composing Thoughts site play the two solo cello works...