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Events 2004-2005 John Corigliano's CIRCUS MAXIMUS The School of Music presented the world premiere of a major new work by John Corigliano, one of the most widely recognized and successful composers of concert music in America. The new work, Corigliano's CIRCUS MAXIMUS (Symphony No. 3 for large wind ensemble), was premiered by the UT Wind Ensemble, directed by Jerry Junkin, on February 16 (the composer's birthday) in Bass Concert Hall. A New York/Carnegie Hall premiere occured for the following week.American Operas: Della's Gift and Holy Night Christmas came in April on the UT campus, when two one-act operas by Dan Welcher (the Lee Hage Jamail Regents Professor in Fine Arts) were performed at the PAC. Della's Gift won two Austin Critics' Circle Awards at its premiere in 1987, and Holy Night received its world premiere on April 22. Performances run April 22, 24, 29, and May 1st, and tickets are available from the PAC.These two operas are related in a fascinating way: both take place on Christmas Eve, in the same apartment, 100 years apart. Della's Gift is based on Austin writer O. Henry's tale of love and sacrifice "Gifts of the Magi," and Holy Night is an original story by UT's own Paul Woodruff, Director of Plan II and Professor of Philosophy. He also wrote the libretto for Della's Gift. Read the synopsis for Della's Gift and Holy Night."The music [of Della's Gifts] is disarming in its charm and eminently singable. And as theater,
Della's Gift is uncomplicated and affecting... around the 'magical children of O. Henry's familiar story,
Welcher has constructed a musical aura that evokes a bygone American era in a gently loving way."
Not just any old music: New Music UT's esteemed New Music Ensemble opened its spring 2005 concert series on February 15 with music by John Adams (Shaker Loops), Richard Festinger (Serenade for Six), Dana Wilson (Dancing with the Devil), and UT composer Jonathan Kolm (Crystal Fantasy). The free performance is in Bates Recital Hall at 8 p.m.This spring the UTNME also welcomed distinguished guest composers Martin Bresnick and Melinda Wagner. Martin Bresnick has been described as "a champion synthesizer of disparate materials." His musical style is "elegantly smooth," critic Kyle Gann has noted. "Bresnick's works are marked by an economy of materials and lyrical intensity. The secret of Bresnick's language is that he has developed an intervallic way of working with tonality that allows for a smooth continuum between tonality and atonality." Bresnick was the first recipient of the illustrious Charles Ives Living Award from the American Academy of Arts and LettersWorks by Melinda Wagner have been descibed as "delicately exuberant, finely structured," "absorbing, exhilarating," with "moments of exceptional beauty and wonderful atmosphere." Her Concerto for Flute, Strings, and Percussion was awarded the 1999 Pulitzer Prize. | Events |
Email: AmericanMusic@mail.music.utexas.edu Send questions or comments regarding this page to AmericanMusic@mail.music.utexas.edu. |
