Settings of poems by novelist, poet, essayist Alexander Theroux for soprano & piano will be performed by soprano Hsin Yi Lin and pianist Asya Gulua, all of which are world premieres. Three piano works, one of which is a “live" world premiere (the piece, “Golden Gate Rag" was already recorded on YouTube several months ago) will be performed by pianist Myrna Setiawan, and another solo piano work, “Tabloid" (not heard in almost thirty years), will be performed by my wife Kaori Katayama Noland. I will be performing a new work for improvised piano & electronics titled “James Webb Space Telescope Photo Montage." I look forward to seeing many of you there!
Please take note of the Parental Advisory my conscience compels me to include as a caveat due to a single strong one-syllable word employed in one of the poems by Alexander Theroux set for soprano and piano. Rest assured, no other word in the English language (a word that composer/diarist Ned Rorem advises all writers to use sparingly for maximal effect) could have been used to express the sentiment conveyed in the poem at issue. Its employment is for naught but strictly artistic/expressive purposes. That said, please don’t fail to bear in mind H.L. Mencken’s famous definition of “puritanism,” namely: “the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy!"
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“…levitates to those dizzy heights where only the finest piano music by the great composers resides. How so? By fearlessly pushing at tonality's boundaries in a hyperlyrical unfolding of linear poetry... the ingratiating decorum and grace of the most intimate salon is present, however-- it is related in a super-compact density of strictest fugue, a feat in itself that occurs only so very rarely, and especially in such sustained flight.…"—ERNESTO FERRERI, American composer
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Cascadia Composers-Noland Songs & Piano Pieces Dec. 4, 2022 poster copy (jpg)
DownloadAs of early August, 2020, I have been composing a series of "Coviditties," many of which can be heard under Music Videos 18 (see bottom of this page for a link thereto).
"… a most important work-- perhaps one from which (as i see it) you've molted out of a neoromanticism into a completely postmodern reduction of elements (ad absurdio) already present in your music. Sometimes that romanticism (or the baroque chorale in #3) provides a frame or narrative on which you build around or elaborate other layers. This is a multi-tiered music. While listening to coronaruption a chainsaw was being used nearby, the clarity was such that I stopped the music- - wasn't sure if it was in the piece...so 2 things -- the tonal works providing the frame are exquisite in their own right... thing 2: your sound fonts are very clear and fall well on the ear, esp with the excellent riffing you use them for. (i like the electric guitar ) and the very low noise floor. real clean
The mensural canons (on the music ex.I've sent) did not go unnoticed, i have a fascination with its chromatically inflected ornamentation of the dominant. (used it in several pieces myself These canons are "multi-tempo sounding", reminded of I'ves.
I would also mention that the chopin/strauss element seems to reflect the old bourgeois under attack from the culture that has arisen since... this one's a stretch...it's deliberately loving, saccharine poesy seems unmoved... love and fine taste exist wherever the appoggiatura stabs the heart?
Gary, this is an impressive series, the fact that some are piano alone, without electronics is postmodern, as is your use of ersatz jazz and beats... these all make this a highly sophisticated sonic cartoon, welcome to the 21st century? You're getting there before me, whatever, hot pieces."—Ernesto Ferreri, American composer
Beginning in February of 2019, I set nine poems by Alexander Theroux for soprano & piano. Mr. Theroux sent me an unpublished poem titled "It" (written on April 14th, 2020) in response to the COVID crisis. I set this poem in the summer of 2020 for SATB, oboe, French horn, double bass, and timpani. I am currently on the search for an ensemble of able singers and musicians to premiere this work. You may download the score and audio recording (computer generated) from this website. Go to SCORES 3 for the score & parts and to MUSIC VIDEOS 18 for the audio file.
As a freelance composer, I am currently accepting commissions. If you like my music and wish to donate to my cause, please find the Paypal button in the SCORES 1 menu. I appreciate your support! Thank you!
My complete set of TWENTY COVIDITTIES Op. 116, composed between July 31st and Oct. 19th, 2020 amidst smoke, fire, riots, political turmoil and unrest whilst in the throes of a pernicious global pandemic.
Files coming soon.
Files coming soon.
In this group we explore new and unusual repertoire by composers of the late 19th century to the present. Many of these composers are overlooked by the mainstream classical music culture. If this interests you, please feel free to participate. Go to: https://www.facebook.com/groups/698168207360924/
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