News and Events
These posts include performances, concerts, recordings, and general activity from ACA, ACA's composers, and music in ACA.
News and events posts from the previous iteration of ACA's website (2009-2024) can be found on the Archived News and Events page.
News and Events
Edward Smaldone: "What no one else sees..." Album release Dec. 6
Join us as we celebrate the release of Edward Smaldone's comprehensive new album of music, What No One Else Sees, out in wide release on New Focus Recordings. Bandcamp
1 Beauty of Innuendo
Brno Philharmonic, Mikel Toms Conducting
2 Prendendo Fuoco (Catching Fire)
Royal Scottish National Orchestra,
Mikel Toms conductor, Niklas Sivelöv, piano solo
3 Murmurations
Den Kongelige Livgardes Musikkorps,
Giordano Bellincampi, conductor,
Søren-Filip Brix Hansen, clarinet solo
4 June 2011
Royal Scottish National Orchestra,
Mikel Toms conductor
5–7 What no one else sees…
Opus Zoo Woodwind Quintet
Nov. 15: Album Release of Richard Orlando Thompson's Art Songs, "Life's Sweet Shadows"
From Navona Records:
Celebrated soprano Ellaina Lewis honors composer Richard Thompson's art song oeuvre in LIFE'S SWEET SHADOWS, a recording created in collaboration with masterful sound liberator Joe Williams. Immersed in the rich text of Paul Laurence Dunbar and Langston Hughes, Lewis gives a profoundly emotional performance, her rich timbre pronouncing the story within each song and elevating the complexities of Thompson's compositional style. Lewis shines in each expression, proving equal beauty in the musings of One Life as the joyful call of Passion. Lovingly brought to fruition with the help of many supporters, including the encouragement of pianist Kim Davenport, LIFE'S SWEET SHADOWS is a triumph in art song.
https://www.navonarecords.com/catalog/nv6682/
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Music of Louis Karchin with Mise-En Ensemble, New York City, Dec. 8
On Sunday, Dec. 8, at 8:00 PM, ensemble mise-en will present an hour-long program featuring two recent chamber works and two solo pieces by Louis Karchin at the Tenri Institute, in Manhattan. The concert, conducted by Music Director Moon Young Ha, will include As the Circle Opens to Infinity...., an extended seven-instrument composition inspired by the first part of poet H. D.'s Trilogy, The Walls Do Not Fall. Processions III In Memoriam: Kaija Saariaho, for solo violin, will receive its world premiere, and was written in memory of the dearly-missed composer colleague. A new five-instrument version of Karchin's recent Incantations and Dances, and Fanfare/Pavane, composed for flutist Patricia Spencer in 2000, will round out the program.
Tenri Institute
43a West 13th St.
New York, NY
Music of Edward Smaldone, Nov. 10, 12, 13
Remembering Gheorghe Costinescu - with Stephen Gosling in concert, Dec. 7
All are welcome to attend this free event honoring composer Gheorghe Costinescu on Saturday, December 7th at 3pm at the New York City historic landmark Rutgers Presbyterian Church at 236 W 73rd Street at Broadway.
A program of music by the composer will be presented by Silvelin Costinescu, featuring the internationally-known pianist Stephen Gosling, and will include hearing private recordings of music, and viewing artwork and animation films by the composer, followed by a reception at the church.
Born in Bucharest in 1934 and residing in New York since 1969, Gheorghe Costinescu was active as a composer, conductor, pianist, musicologist, and educator.
After studying with Pascal Bentoiu and earning an M.A. in composition from the Bucharest Conservatory under Mihail Jora, he continued his studies with Karlheinz Stockhausen in Cologne and Luciano Berio at The Juilliard School in New York. In 1976 he received a Ph.D. with Distinction from Columbia University.
His chamber, choral, orchestral, and stage music has been performed in major cities in Europe and the United States, and at the Royan, Shiraz-Persepolis, and Tanglewood festivals. His stage work The Musical Seminar, a winner in the League-ISCM National Composers Competition was premiered at Lincoln Center in New York City.
Costinescu was a Fulbright Scholar and also received the Romanian Academy’s George Enescu prize; The Juilliard School’s Alexandre Gretchaninoff Memorial Prize; and fellowships from the MacDowell Colony, Yaddo, and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. He passed away in 2023.
His music is published by American Composers Edition (BMI)
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Nov. 3: Performances of Dana Richardson and Edward Smaldone with Long Island Composers Alliance
This Sunday, works for saxophone by Dana Richardson and Edward Smaldone will be performed by members of the Cobalt Quartet. This concert is presented by the Long Island Composers Alliance, details below:
Sunday, Nov. 3rd 2024
2 p.m. ET
Floyd Memorial Library
539 1st Street
Greenport, NY 11944
Marilyn Shrude: New Music Symposium & Concert at CIM, Nov. 2 and 3
Marilyn Shrude: New Music Symposium -Cleveland Institute of Music :
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 4pm New Music Ensemble -
Concert:
-
Start Time 4:00 pm
-
Location Mixon Hall
-
Ticketing Free — Seating Passes Required
Livestream
Repertoire
- SCHOENBERG Chamber Symphony No. 1, Op. 9 (1906; arr. Webern, 1923)
- SHRUDE Within Silence (2012)
- SHRUDE Secrets (2004)
- SHRUDE Within the Wall (2018/2021)
Performed by
- New Music Ensemble
- Keith Fitch, director
- Marilyn Shrude, guest composer/piano, Kulas Foundation Visiting Artist
- John Sampen, saxophone, Kulas Foundation Visiting Artist
Admission is free, but a reservation is required.
Cleveland Institute of Music
11021 East Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106
ALSO:
SATURDAY, NOV. 2:
Kulas Foundation Visiting Artist and guest composer Marilyn Shrude discusses her music.
Event Details
-
Start Time 4:00 pm
-
Location Room 217
-
Ticketing Free — No Tickets or Seating Passes Required
Location
Cleveland Institute of Music
11021 East Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44106
Jan Gilbert's Grace to You for men's chorus, Colorado College, Dec. 14
Jan Gilbert's "Grace to You" from her work Night Chants is scheduled for performance Saturday, December 14 2024, at Shove Memorial Chapel on the Colorado College Campus, Colorado Springs. Performing group: Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble.Read More
Aaron Larget-Caplan, guitarist/composer events this week live and streaming
OREGON
Tuesday 10/29 – Portland State University – Composition Class of Bonnie Miksch
Wednesday 10/30 – Astoria: Worldly Songs & Dances - 7pm PT
Thursday 10/31 – All Classical Radio – Thursday @ Three with Christa Wessel –
Live & Streaming performance (click link and click listen) - 3pm PT
Friday 11/1 – Cannon Beach – Death, Dreams & Delusions - 7:30pm PT
Music, Theater, Poetry with actors Cameron Lira & John Hoff
GERMANY
11/16 – Mainz, F-13 Concerts
Music of Frederick Tillis among works highlighted by A Far Cry, Oct. 11,13
CODED reimagines iconic African American spirituals in concerts in the Boston area. On Oct. 11 at the New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall, in collaboration with opera singer Davóne Tines, A Far Cry will offer up a night that honors the legacy of African American spirituals, including a rendition of Frederick Tillis’ “Wade in the Water” arranged by McNeely and novel music from award-winning composer Tyshawn Sorey. The program also highlights the works of Harry T. Burleigh, who composed African American music classically, and his relationship with Czech composer Antonín Dvorák, who was influenced by African American music.
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Life Is Singing... Music of Lewis Nielson and Reiko Futing, New York City, Oct. 18
On Friday, October 18, 7:30 pm, FREE of charge (Composers promise the price is no measure of the music!), with a reception to follow. Please come and hear Lewis Nielson and Reiko Futing share their more recent work. Some of the most outstanding artists (and human beings) are scheduled to perform. You will also find out what produced the concert title! Tenri Institute, 43A West 13th Street. Artists to include Charlotte Mundy, TAK ensemble, and Unheard-of-Ensemble.
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Concert in New York: Music of Odaline de la Martinez & Barbara Jazwinski, Oct. 13
INSPIRED BY NEW ORLEANS
A concert of works by
Odaline de la Martinez & Barbara Jazwinski
Program
Music by Odaline de la Martinez | Libretto by Joan Anim Addo
Imoinda: Story of Love and Slavery (Arias and Duets from the Opera)
Music by Barbara Jazwinski
1. Incantations for violin solo
2. String Trio
3. Wind Shadows
In association with the League of Composers/ISCM
Where:
Opera America
Marc Scorca Hall
330 7th Ave 7th Floor, New York
October 13th, 2024 At 7pm,
FREE
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Gilbert Galindo - RAM Performs "Hope for the Earth" & "Spontaneous" Album Release
On Friday, October 4, Composers Concordance Records releases its latest album "Spontaneous" which includes an portion of Gilbert Galindo's "Microcosms" for clarinet, violin, and piano. The ending excerpt from "Microcosms" consists of fast-paced, energetic musical statements with varying intensities, fragmented tunes, abstraction, and a little bit of drama, all colored with modernist dissonances and at times harmonic coolness.
Featuring the CompCord Quartet, "Spontaneous" also includds new music by Aaron Alter, Lynn Bechtold, Seth Boustead, Dan Cooper, Ginka Mizuki, Gene Pritsker, Clemens M. Rofner, and Denise Koncelik. Performing on the album are Michiyo Suzuki on clarinet, Lynn Bechtold on violin, Daniel Hass on cello, and Jai Jeffryes on piano.
Marcus Eley releases a new album with music of Earl Louis Stewart, Alvin Batiste, and more August 30
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOMAGE is a tribute to the rich legacy of African American composers, meticulously curated by clarinetist Marcus Eley. Label: Imaginary Animals.
Album Credits: Produced by Susan Frederick and Marcus Eley; Recording engineers: Justin Armstrong; Recording, editing, and mixing: Mathew Snyder (Allegro Recordings, LLC); Editing and mixing: Tom Weir and Nellie McGrew (Studio City Sound); Mastering: Immersive Audio Mastering (Dolby Atmos) by Studio City Sound; Photography: Alisa Banks Photography; Cover art: Blythe Gaissert; Recording locations: New Orleans, LA and Burbank, CA.
Following the triumphant performance/standing ovation of his Symphony No. 4: Juneteenth, at UCLA's Royce Hall on June 5th, Professor Emeritus Earl Louis Stewart will be heard on Homage, a new album release by renowned clarinetist, Marcus Eley. Eley recorded Stewart's “Majestic” - the first movement of his Rhythm Sonata 11B, arranged for clarinet. It has been pre-released on a studio album to be available on every major streaming platform.
The album has an official release date of August 30th of this year, featuring music for clarinet, string trio, and quartet by African American composers. The album is rich with diverse styles, from spirituals to folk themes, and jazz-inspired compositions.
In “Majestic”, Marcus Eley’s clarinet sings with weaving melodies and is elegantly complimented by four strings: two violins, viola, and violoncello. Rhythm Sonata’s other two movements, “Larghetto” and “Moderato e Animato”, II and III respectively, and the first movement, “Majestic, are a stylish trio of jazz fugues governed by ever-present rhythm; hence, Rhythm Sonata is a bold modern-day jazz version of the eighteenth-century Baroque trio sonata. When asked about the inspiration behind his unique and innovative composition, Stewart had this to say: the trio sonata was a good median to express jazz; The variations of figured bass (originally played by the harpsicord), were nothing more than the number of intervals that constituted a chord, which is similar to the chord-symbol technique used throughout jazz; I interpreted the medium of the trio sonata like the modern rhythm section.
Stewart developed his jazz prowess as a trumpeter at age twelve. As a teenager, he began performing with jazz notables and writing head arrangements. Soon after, he attended Southern University in New Orleans, LA, where he learned to write jazz composition under his mentor, the late jazz great Alvin Batiste. Stewart would go on to achieve a Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Texas Austin where he studied Western classical music. He is a professor emeritus of the University of California and is one of the preeminent experts on the cultural foundations of African-American music. His compositions are represented by the American Composers Alliance.
Marcus Eley is an acclaimed clarinetist known for his dedication to showcasing diverse composers and expanding the classical music repertoire. With a career that spans decades, Eley has captivated audiences worldwide with his exceptional performances and commitment to musical excellence. Homage offers listeners a glimpse into the vibrant intricacies of American music. From the soulful rhythms of Alvin Batiste to the tender introspection of Herbert Franklin Mells, each piece honors the contributions of trailblazing composers who have left an indelible mark on the classical music landscape. “This album is a celebration of the profound impact African American composers have had on the world of classical music,” proclaimed Eley. “Through these pieces, we aim to shine a light on their enduring legacy and inspire a deeper appreciation for their work.”
Chamber Music of Glenn Stallcop, with Urban Nocturnes, Sept. 14, and Sept. 21
On Saturday, Sept 14th, esteemed chamber ensemble Urban Nocturnes will present a concert "Urban Impressions" featuring recent new music written for them by composer Glenn Stallcop. The 9/14 program will be at Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix and will feature works written for the ensemble and other chamber works. The concert will also be performed again in Prescott, AZ at Trinity Presbyterian on Sat. September 21, at 7pm.
Notes on the program: Episodes is a trio for violin, cello, and piano that evokes the emotional rollercoaster experienced in the continuing quest for social change.
Alt Shift, a sextet for flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, and piano, explores in 3 movements (Tether, High Wire, and Fantasia) alternate lifestyles in the search for meaning and purpose.
Also on the program is Nuance de Noir for flute/alto flute, tenor saxophone (or bass clarinet), viola, and double bass. Commissioned by the Telluride Chamber Music Association in the Spring of 2022, Nuance de Noir’s unusual instrumentation triggered a comparison of modern stresses to the nuclear shadow which triggered the "Noir" period in cinema during the 50s and 60s.
Tickets are $25 – student discount tickets are $5 and both are available at the door. Or tickets online here.
Saturday, September 14, 2024
2:00 PM
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix
4207 East Lincoln Drive
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Saturday, September 21, 2024
7pm
Trinity Presbyterian Church
630 Park Ave
Prescott, AZ 86303
Glenn Stallcop is a composer, pianist and bassist who performed with the Phoenix Symphony for 47 years. He has published more than 100 compositions for orchestra, chamber music, vocal works, solo piano and double bass. He has recorded multiple albums of piano improvisation over the last 20 years.
As a professional double bassist with a major symphony orchestra, several of his works feature the double bass. He has written works for double bass and orchestra, for solo bass, bass with accompaniment, two sets of bass duets and several chamber music works. He won the annual International Society of Bassists Composition Competition for solo double bass with his work entitled Vision Quest, for double bass and piano. It was premiered at the ISB conference in Michigan.
The Phoenix Symphony has performed many of his orchestral compositions, including Millennial Opening, Calypso Round, City Music, Sunscape (commissioned by the Arizona Diamond Jubilee Commission), Couplet for a Desert Summer, Concerto for Double Bass, Concertino for Harp & Strings and the Suite from Reggie (originally written for dance). His music has been performed by symphonies, festivals, chamber musicians and youth orchestras around the country.
Louis Karchin: A Retrospective at Kaufman Music Center
Kaufman Music Center will be presenting five recent works, including three premieres, by Louis Karchin on Sunday, Sept. 22nd at 4 PM. Two song cycles are based on texts of the 17th century English poet George Herbert and contemporary Boston poet Steven Withrow (who will be present at the concert). Performers will include esteemed artists who are long-time collaborators of Karchin.
Program:
Karchin: Sonata-Fantasia
Karchin: Two Sacred Songs
Karchin: Sonata quasi un capriccio
Karchin: Compositions on Canvas: Two Art Songs
Karchin: Trio for violin, cello, and piano
Tickets are available through the Merkin Hall Box office (212) 501-3330, or at https://www.kaufmanmusiccenter.org/mch/event/louis-karchin-a-retrospective/
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Fasting Heart by Judith Shatin to receive NFA premiere August 1
The National Flute Association annual convention will take place August 1-4 in San Antonio. Events include a concert honoring winners of the Newly Published Music Competitions, including Fasting Heart for solo flute by Judith Shatin, which will be performed August 1 by Yooh Jung Huh. Other winning works by Malena Kuss, Adolphus Hailstork, and Cynthia Folio are also scheduled for this concert.
Five Mirror Canons by David Mecionis and more, NYCC, April 10
MIRRORS
A Concert of New Music
Wednesday, April 10 @ 7:00 PM
Church of the Transfiguration
"Little Church Around the Corner"
1 East 29th Street, New York, New York
NEW YORK COMPOSERS CIRCLE
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Music of Aaron Avshalomov with Seven Hills Symphony, March 17
Celebrating Israeli composer Marc Lavry’s 120th anniversary, Seven Hills Symphony (Cincinnati) performed an orchestral concert featuring Lavry, along with Aaron Avshalomov and Ernest Bloch. Violin professor from Northern Kentucky University, Dr. William Herzog performed the Baal Shem Suite. Directed by Dr. Aik Khai Pung, Conductor and Matthew Lee, Assistant Conductor.
- Aaron Avshalomov: Four Biblical Tableaux (1928)
- Queen Esther’s Prayer
- Rebecca by the well
- Ruth and Naomi
- Processional
- Ernest Bloch: Baal Shem, “Three Pictures of Chassidic Life” – Dr. William Herzog, violin
- Vidui (Contrition)
- Nigun (Improvisation)
- Simchas Torah (Rejoicing in the Law)
- Marc Lavry: Emek, Symphonic Poem, op. 45
- Marc Lavry: Negev, Symphonic Poem, op. 251
Formerly named Seven Hills Sinfonietta, the Seven Hills Symphony was founded in 1974 and is now recognized as a leading community orchestra in Cincinnati, Ohio. Under the baton of Dr. Aik Khai Pung, the orchestra holds concerts that energize, entertain, and educate the public. The orchestra is composed of well-trained, non-professional musicians that perform a variety of music – everything from classical masterpieces to jazz, rock, and world music.
Michael Udow Featured at Edeta Arts Percussion Festival
Edeta Arts will feature world-renowned percussionist and composer, Michael Udow, at their festival in Llíria - a UNESCO Creative City of Music located on the outskirts of the city of Valencia. Michael was commissioned to compose a series of works about his residency in the city, titled “Impressions of Llíria." The closing festival concert of Michael’s commissioned World Premiere will include a celebration of Llíria’s important archeological sites including:
- Campanas de iglesia de Llíria - for Llíria’s bell towers,
- Tower Music featuring Germany’s Brassarie Ensemble,
- Baños Árabes de Llíria featuring Agrupació Musical Edetana "Vicente Giménez" (plucked string orchestra)
- Llíria Legends featuring Unio Musical (Symphonic Band)
- Pau – featuring Canada’s A Capella, Horizon Prairie Voices
- Llíria Impressions featuring Orquestra de Plectro "El Micalet" de Llíria, (plucked string orchestra)
- Twelve Labors of Hercules for choir, Jota musicians, brass quintet, plucked string orchestra, string orchestra, and selected percussionists from the United States and Spain. Actor Ignasi Diaz, serves as Narrator with Maestro Cristóbal Soler, conducting the 200+ musicians along with the animated film created for this event, which highlights the 1917 archeological dig that uncovered an ancient Roman 18’x15’ stone mosaic floor in the heart of Llíria.
- Edeta Fantasy (Symphonic Band), Comunidad (a Happening), and Jota (music for dance) will be premiered later.