May 13th, 2006
2nd Performance of “Four Poets”
The Ives Quartet did a second performance of my “Four Poets” last night at Le Petit Trianon Theatre in San Jose. The quartet sounded even better. The acoustics were 100 times more favorable, the audience’s enthusiasm fed three more great performances. Surrounded by two strong pieces by Ives and Mendelssohn, I think I held my own. The piece was presented beautifully by the Ives Quartet. The audience followed and enjoyed the piece, and seemed to be swept up in its flow and story. Two separate people told me that they thought that the piece “invites you in: doesn’t put a frame around it, or put up a fence in between; it invites you in.” I’ll take that as a compliment.
“Emily” was a big hit last night. I put on a thumb pick, tweaked the banjo part a bit, and the piece sparkled.
Picking four different poets to do musical portraits of worked effectively in creating contrast in the piece. My piano quartet, “Four Painters” (which will be performed on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 at UCLA, Schoenberg Auditorium) tried the same formal treatment but with painters. I know this “Four XXX” thing could spiral out of control, but hey… A set of four whatevers often works well.
“Four Poets” will be performed on Cape Cod in July.
May 14th, 2006 at 5:40 pm
Congrats Roger.
Maybe the Emerson can do the piece, and include Emily with Bela Fleck. Why not I say??
May 16th, 2006 at 6:47 am
What a great idea! Emerson, poet, string quartet. Duhh. My biggest problem is that I give birth to a piece, and then abandon it by moving on to my next project.
Note to self: send the damn string quartet to the Emerson SQ.
May 16th, 2006 at 7:40 am
I love the Emerson String Quartet! Can you post the Ives recording here?
May 21st, 2006 at 7:06 am
I do as well and I’d imagine that they wd do a great job with the piece. I’ll post it when I get the recording. Can’t wait!
July 28th, 2006 at 6:40 am
[...] Daniel brought his computer along [surprise] and recorded the performance. The expert recording in San Jose was ruined because the damned bass player was practicing offstage during the James Merrill movement. This time, only a pair of glasses falling to the floor marred that movement. Their performance was excellent. They really know the piece and played the hell out of it. The audience seemed genuinely to love the piece, and 1/3 stood to say so. I pulled out the banjo to do EMILY but sadly there was no bass, so it sounded just WEIRD. I figure I’ll add the bass in my studio and it should be just fine. [I’ll post it if it is.] [...]