Long Time, No See
Holy Moly. Hi! Has it seriously been nine months? It’s turrrrble, so much radio silence. Believe it or not, I have actually been writing all this time! In fact, I’ve probably written more words in the past nine months than in the last nine years (rest assured that I am just as surprised as you...
Concerts, Goose Bumps, New Discoveries
Last week in New York was one big concert frenzy, and I had a blast! Notable things included: Goose bumps! A clear signal that something very excellent is in progress. I experienced more than one episode of these as a result of: Roomful of Teeth at the Ecstatic Music Festival. They delivered an utterly delightful,...
Now or Never Recording
All I can think to say about 2011 so far is whoa. More on that later! The good people from Roulette sent the recordings from my November performance, and I have whipped together a mix of Now or Never for your listening pleasure. It’s going to snow! Again. Buy milk! Buy bread! Buy toilet paper!!...
A Very New Music Holiday
Although this year I wasn’t able to make it out to the Baltimore enactment of Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night, the annual event organized by The Contemporary Museum’s Mobtown Modern Music Series, I did have a total blast putting together a new music holiday mixtape to accompany the event! I chose the tracks, which were then...
Mint Conditioner Recording
First of all, last week’s concert at Roulette was, to quote an enthusiastic listener, “absolutely bloody amazing!” Seriously. All of the musicians gave 150%, and I think the choice to follow three pieces for solo instrument and electronics with an acoustic ensemble work provided just the right sort of juxtaposition, or….palette-cleansing? Particularly notable was Logan...
Performer Interview #10: Logan Coale, bass
Logan Coale is a native of Portland, Oregon. Logan is the Assistant Principal Bass of the Sarasota Opera Orchestra and is on faculty at the Kinhaven Music School in Weston, Vermont. In New York, Logan is a member of NOW Ensemble, The Knights Chamber Orchestra, and William Brittelle’s Television Landscape. He also performs regularly with...
Performer Interview #9: Leigh Stuart, cello
Leigh Stuart is a versatile cellist who thrives on performing music from a wide range of styles and genres. She has toured the U.S. extensively as a chamber musician, performing in venues such as Alice Tully Hall, Bargemusic, Carnegie Hall, the Deer Valley Music Festival, the Library of Congress, the Lied Center of Kansas, the...
Performer Interview #8: Sara Budde, clarinet
The time has come for more performer interviews! The three excellent musicians who will be gracing these pages will be featured performers on my November 18 Interpretations concert at Roulette. Come hear them play and meet them in person! Clarinetist and Bass Clarinetist Sara Budde performs frequently as a recitalist and chamber musician both in...
When Names Collide
Several months ago Molly sounded the alert that apparently I have a namesake! Behold: Total heartbreaker, right?! I am completely jealous of that pout! The only way this little name issue affects me is on Twitter – this is mine, and that is his. Needless to say, he has quite the following. So occasionally I...
Two by Eight Recording
A special treat just arrived in my email inbox! A recording of Two by Eight from my friends Compagnie CH.AU (I assure you I have no idea how to pronounce the name either), from a June performance in Vevey, Switzerland. You can listen to it here. They pretty much nailed the whole “Quirky gypsy wedding...
Now or Never
Some notes and papers from the production of Now or Never for flute, clarinet, electric guitar, piano and double bass. You can read a program note here, as well as an essay on this photo ritual here. Now or Never is written for the wonderful NOW Ensemble, who are on tour as we speak, and...
Mint Conditioner and Musical Kryptonite
Above are a few pages of sketches and notes from the making of Mint Conditioner for double bass and electronics – signed, sealed and delivered (several weeks ago) to exceedingly awesome bassist Logan Coale. True to the title, this piece starts out a tangled ball of knots, and by the end rinses out smooth and...
