Three Elegies in Bulgaria

A soprano I must count amongst my most faithful interpreters, Sofia Dimitrova, is performing my Three Elegies in Varna, Bulgaria next week, June 28. Here is the poster:
It says (she tells me!) the following:
June 28th 2008 7:30 PM
Hall "Bach" at the Methodist Episcopal Church

Soprano
Sofia Dimitrova
"picture of a pretty lady"

piano Dimiter Fournadgiev
in the program: arias of Mozart, Donizetti and Massenet, and songs of Tcimpidis and Russell

Free Admission

Three States of Water at NYU

I was so happy with the performance of Three States of Water during Tuesday night's New York Composers Circle concert at NYU. In fact, the whole concert was fantastic, and we had a terrific turnout on a somewhat rainy day. Here's a few pics from the evening.

Introducing the piece

The ensemble

Jonathan Engle

Mary Barto

Aki Kasuga

Three States of Water on Tuesday

I've had a chance to hear Mary Barto, Aki Kasuga, and Jonathan Engle rehearse my Three States of Water, and let me tell you: They are HOT! I'm very excited about the concert on Tuesday. It will be the first time my music has been heard at New York University. The concert is being presented by the New York Composers Circle, and will start at 8pm in the Frederick Loewe Theater, 35 West Fourth Street. (I'm a big fan of Lerner and Loewe, so I think this is so cool!) 

There's a suggested donation of $15, students free with ID card. Click the flier for more information. See you there!

Three States of Water at Mannes

Three States of Water is a difficult, virtuostic piece, and so I was delighted to hear it performed at Mannes College of Music on May 13. Here is Mary Barto, the director of the flute ensemble, introducing the work.

This piece was originally written for three flutes rather than a full ensemble. The original version will be performed next week by Mary Bart, Aki Kasuga, and Jonathan Engle at New York University next Tuesday, May 20. The concert time is 8pm, and the venue is the Frederick Loewe theater at 35 West 4 Street. Suggested donation is $15. For more information, head to the website for the New York Composers Circle.

Violin Sonata Premieres, New Arrangement of Three Elegies

What a terrific concert yesterday at the Blessed Sacrament Church on the Upper West Side. Soprano Sofia Dimitrova performed a new arrangement of my Three Elegies, and Stani Dimitrova premiered my first Violin Sonata. Jenny Huang was superb accompanying on piano. I received wonderful comments from everyone, so thank you. And many thanks especially to these wonderful musicians who bring new music to life.

It was a beautiful day -- Mother's Day, as it happens -- and after the concert we took a walk over to Cafe Mozart to relax! (Click pics for larger size.)

Jenny Huang, Sofia Dimitrova

Stani Dimitrova

Stani, Betty, Sofia, Jenny

Three States of Water in two venues

Three States of Water will be performed twice in May, in two different incarnations. I have scored the piece for a full flute ensemble, and the Mannes College Extension Division flute ensemble, under the direction of Mary Barto, will perform this piece on May 13 at 8pm. The venue is Mannes College of Music, 150 West 85 Street; admission is free!

The trio version of Three States of Water will be performed by Mary Barto, Aki Kasuga, and Jonathan Engle on May 20 in a concert presented under the auspices of the New York Composers Circle. This should be a terrific concert, with the NYCC's honorary member, Dinu Ghezzo represented, along with the NYCC's composition competition winner, Dana Dimitri Richardson. Other composers are Gene Marlow, Richard McCandless, Matthew P. Steckler, Miki Nakanishi, and Joseph Pehrson. The venue is great: The Frederick Loewe Theater at New York University, 35 West 4th Street. The concert starts at 8pm, suggested admission is $15.

Violin Sonata to Premiere May 11

Stani Dimitrova will premiere my first Violin Sonata on May 11 at 3pm, with Jenny Huang gracing the piano. The venue is the historic Blessed Sacrament Church at 152 West 71 in Manhattan. Also on the bill is Sofia Dimitrova who will be performing a special piano/vocal arrangement of my Three Elegies, written just for this occasion.

Violin, soprano, and piano make a terrific combination! Other pieces are by Mozart, Saint-Saëns, and my colleagues Evan Lewis and Rafael Fusco. The performance is being presented by the Musica Bella Orchestra.

Admission is by donation. Click the image for larger size!