The recent fire in the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris reminded me of the importance of this place in the history of western music. Notre Dame has served as a hot-bed of musical experimentation and growth, as far back as the 12th Century during the formation of the Paris School. Two notable composers drove the development of choral music during this time: Leonin (fl. 1150’s until his death ca 1201) and his student Perotin (ca. 1160 - ca. 1230).
Read MoreMusic is such a profound means of building community and social connections. The blossoming of the salon in 19th Century Europe is a great example of creating social circles in support of art in general and various composers and musicians in particular. Art, poetry and music lovers would host social gatherings in their home “salons” and invite a large mix of arts supporters
Read MoreI hope that you enjoy my performance of Khachaturian’s Toccata (1932), as well as this SoundCloud file of my newly composed Toccata Brevis for piano and percussion (2018). One of my favorite genres identified primarily with the piano is the toccata. Literally a “touch piece,” the toccata is
Read MoreSendros Que se Bifurcan is a one-movement work for clarinet and piano that I and clarinetist Wagner Campos (my long-time recital partner and close friend) commissioned from award-winning American composer Charles Norman Mason in the early 2000’s. I hope that you enjoy listening to this live performance of Senderos se Que Bifurcan,
Read MoreInspirational note: My teacher, Abbey Simon, is now 96. In 2015, he and his wife were struck by a car and Mr Simon suffered a broken wrist and two broken fingers in his right hand. In his mid-nineties, Mr Simon re-taught himself how to play. When asked why, he simply replied "It's who I am. I wouldn't know what to do with myself otherwise." Stunning.
Read MoreBoth as pianist and composer, I have rather wide-ranging tastes in music. However, I invariably find myself returning time and again to a handful of composers who have always served as both models and inspiration for me. I think of them in different categories, as each composer represents various aspects of my own music making and thinking about music:
Read MoreUpon completion of my Concerto Grosso on Dystopian Themes, I’m aware as never before of the magic that can accompany the marriage of music and story. The excitement generated by the students of Chute Middle School, Evanston, Illinois, around this project is palpable. The student-written dystopian short story
Read MoreAs a continuation of my years-long commitment to bringing innovative (and did I mention fun?) collaborative multi-disciplinary projects to our local District 65 elementary and middle schools, Evanston/Skokie, Illinois, I’ve created a concept that’s really floating my composition-oriented boat this academic year.
Read MoreI believe that we each have a musical soundtrack that accompanies us throughout our lives–highlighting particular events, relationships, passions and projects. My personal soundtrack has paralleled my own growth and life changes. Many pieces and songs come and go–including those that I’ve studied, performed and written.
Read MoreAs I prepare for an upcoming lecture-recital presentation on the very young Mozart, specifically how his formative musical experiences happened to a great extent during the three-plus years of travel that his family undertook between 1763-1765 through much of Europe
Read MoreWe humans go to art. In tragedy, in celebration, in joy and in sorrow we seek solace and inspiration in art–in all of its forms. Art binds us together, mirrors our experiences, magnifies them. Art provides an indispensable lens through which we view and express our place in the world.
Read MoreAs I prepare to enter into my 30th(!) year of teaching, I’ve been reflecting on those artists who have touched me, mentored me and taught me–those who have gone before me and have inspired me to walk my own artistic path. There have been four teachers, in particular, who have shaped my music making
Read More
