Disclaimer: These are just my notes. It’s possible (probable) that I left some things out or got some things wrong. Feel free to make any additions or corrections in the comments.
Announcements:
We are taking two vans to Detroit on Saturday, Jan 30 for the reading session. Those taking the vans should meet at school at 8:00am that morning. If you want to take the vans, make sure your name is on the list. Email Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Lorenz if you missed the list sent around in class today.
Please set up your composer profile by mid-February.
April 10 will be the Sparta Winds recital featuring MSU composers.
Feb. 4, 7:30pm will be the first Scene&Heard concert at SCENE Metrospace. $3 for students, $5 general public. Future Scene&Heard concerts will involve calls for works. Listen for those in the next few weeks.
Victor Marquez‘s recital will be March 3, 6pm, Hart Recital Hall.
Evan Bushman’s recital will be Feb. 13, 8pm, Hart Recital Hall.
Phillip Sink‘s recital will be March 29, 8pm, Hart Recital Hall.
Discussion: John Corigliano: Symphony No. 1
This is the piece that started Corigliano’s career on it’s current trajectory. He used it to place himself in a context in time and in his musical network. Many Corigliano pieces have been written for a specific occasion, including this one. Symphony no. 1 is was a commission that he nearly turned down. He wrote the piece to honor his friends and others who had died of AIDS. Specifically, he uses the AIDS Quilt as a source of inspiration.
Corigliano grew up around the NY Philharmonic (his father was concertmaster). He understands the medium very well and uses the orchestra to maximum effect.
Listening:Corigliano: Symphony No. 1, mvt. I
perf. National Symphony Orchestra, c. Leonard Slatkin
album: Of Rage and Rememberance (on Amazon.com)
By 1988, the President had never spoken the name of the disease. Corigliano was angry about this. Corigliano says he stopped counting the number of friends and acquaintances who had died of AIDS when he reached one hundred. This epic tragedy allowed him to get past his self-conciousness about the symphony as a form.
Daniel Tressel presented a bit about Pierre Jalbert:
Jalbert teaches at Rice. Rice has 7 theory/comp faculty. Grew up in New Hampshire. Bachelors at Oberlin. Ph.D. at University of Pennsylvania under George Crumb. Started teaching at Rice in 1996 (b. 1967). Currently working on a commission for the Emerson String Quartet and another for the piano duo “Quatro Mani.”
Listening:Jalbert: Trio for violin, cello, and piano (1988), mvt. I
perf. Lincoln Trio
album: Composers in the Loft (on Amazon.com)
