I will have two works premiered this season. In the spirit of self-promotion I am posting the particulars and would then discuss the first of the premieres, coming up in November.
Premiere One: “180 Shift” (2013)
Place: Recital Hall, Conservatory of Music at University of the Pacific, 3515 Pacific Circle, Stockton, California
Date: November 2, 2013
Time: 7:30 PM
Series: Resident Artist Series
Performers: Trio 180
Ann Miller, violin
Nina Flyer, ‘cello
Sonia Leong, piano
Commissioned by and dedicated to Trio 180 and supported by a Pacific Arts and Lectures Committee Award/Grant
More information
Premiere Two: “Invasive Species” (2012)
Place: First Congregational Church of Berkeley, 2345 Channing Way, Berkeley, California
Time: 8 PM
Date: March 11, 2014
Time: 8 PM
Series: Composers, Inc.
Performers: Roger Woodward, piano and the Alexander String Quartet
Zakarias Grafilo, first violin
Fred Lifsitz, second violin
Paul Yarborough, viola
Sandy Wilson, ‘cello:
Composed for and dedicated to Roger Woodward and the Alexander String Quartet in honor of the Alexander String Quartet’s thirtieth anniversary
More information
180 Shift
Trio 180 received their parts and scores for “180 Shift” about 6 weeks ago. They’ve been practicing, rehearsing, and asking me all the right questions since. They are, individually and collectively, smart, talented, and diligent: that wonderful trifecta that separates the wannabes from the pros.
We had our first rehearsal together two days ago, on Wednesday the 9th. For me, as the composer, a first rehearsal is about two different things. One, it’s about confirming that the players are doing their job by learning the piece. One can’t – and shouldn’t – expect perfection at a first rehearsal, but the piece should be well on its way to being performance-ready. Two, a first rehearsal is also about confirming that I, as the composer, have done my job by writing the piece I intended to write and by giving the players something worthy of their time and effort.
It was a perfect first rehearsal. With 22 days to go until the premiere, Trio 180 is poised to absolutely nail the piece. And I breathed a sigh of relief: the piece does what I intended it to do and the players appear to be happy with it.
Below: a picture from the rehearsal, featuring Ann Miller on violin, Nina Flyer on ‘cello, and Sonia Leong at the piano.