February is the shortest month of the year. That fact inspired #ClassicsaDay team (of which I’m a member) to make short classical pieces the theme for the month. The challenge is to select stand-alone works, not movements of larger pieces. Participants post links to short classical pieces in the social media channel of their choice, […]
John Adams
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#ClassicsaDay #PoetryMonth – Week 2
What’s the connection between classical music and classic poetry? That was theme some of us decided to explore with #ClassicsaDay. For April 2018 we posted examples of settings of poetry in classical music, works inspired by poetry, and more. Here’s an annotated list of the works I posted for the first week of #PoetryMonth. Gustav […]
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Powerhouse Pianists Deliver Once Again
I haven’t heard the original Powerhouse Pianists album, but after listening to this release, I’ll be searching it out. This release features the same type of programming as the first Powerhouse Pianists, although it can be enjoyed on its own merits. Pianists Stephen Gosling and Blair McMillen present a collection of contemporary works that push […]
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Composing America: Lark Quartet’s study in contrasts
The Lark Quartet’s latest release is a broad sampling of American string quartet music — and it’s broad in many ways. First, it ranges from the 1928 modernism of Aaron Copland, through the minimalism of John Adams, the populist sound of William Bolcom and ending with the more formal writing of Paul Moravec. It’s also broad […]
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Attacca Quartet – Fresh Take on John Adams
The Attacca Quartet is a relatively new quartet, which is significant. Because they bring a youthful attitude and energy to Adam’s music — and the works benefit greatly from it. “John’s Book of Alleged Dances” is a wonderful collection of made-up dances. And its a set that should be played with a sense of fun. […]