Composers Datebook®

'Eating Greens' with Mackey

Composer's Datebook - October 27, 2023
DOWNLOAD

Synopsis

On today’s date in 1994, Dennis Russell Davies conducted the Chicago Symphony in the premiere performance of a 23-minute orchestral work by American composer Steven Mackey. The new piece was titled Eating Greens, after a painting of the same name that the composer purchased at an African art store in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

Mackey’s Eating Greens is a colorful orchestral suite of seven movements. The fourth movement is only 46 seconds long and is playfully labeled “The Title Is Almost as Long as the Piece Itself.” Other movements’ titles acknowledge the influence of the colorful and playful visual artist Henri Matisse and the quirky but brilliant jazz composer and pianist Thelonious Monk.

In the liner notes for the recording of Eating Greens, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas, Mackey writes, “On more than one occasion, Michael has used the word ‘wacky’ to describe my music. Composers usually blanch at such attributions — nobody wants to be captured in a single word — but I can live with ‘wacky.’ It is not a common adjective, does not end with ‘ism’ and clearly the rhyme with my last name personalizes it.”

Music Played in Today's Program

Steven Mackey (b. 1956) Eating Greens - New World Symphony; Michael Tilson Thomas, cond. RCA/BMG 63826

On This Day

Births

  • 1782 - Italian composer and violinist Niccolò Paganini, in Genoa;

  • 1912 - American-born Mexican composer Conlon Nancarrow, in Texarkana, Arkansas (He became naturalized Mexican citizen in 1956);

  • 1927 - American composer and teacher Dominick Argento, in York, Pennsylvania;

Deaths

  • 1678 - English composer John Jenkins, age c. 86, in Kimberley, Norfolk;

  • 1975 - American jazz composer and arranger Oliver Nelson, age 43, in Los Angeles;

  • 1991 - Polish-born British composer Sir Andrzej Panufnik, age 77, in London;

Premieres

  • 1827 - Bellini: opera "Il Pirata," at La Scala in Milan;

  • 1886 - Mussorgsky: "A Night on Bald Mountain," posthumously, in a re-orchestration by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, in St. Petersburg, by the Russian Symphony conducted by Rimsky-Korsakov (see Julian date: Oct. 15);

  • 1901 - Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2, in Moscow, composer as soloist (Gregorian date: Nov. 9);

  • 1916 - Stenhammar: incidental music for Strindberg's "A Dream Play," at the opening of the Lorensberg Theater in Gothenburg, Sweden;

  • 1948 - Stravinsky: "Mass," in Milan at La Scala, with Ernest Ansermet conducting;

  • 1950 - Creston: Symphony No. 3, Op. 48, by the Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy conducting;

  • 1957 - Villa-Lobos: Harmonica Concerto in Jerusalem;

  • 1958 - Henze: ballet "Undine," in London;

  • 1975 - Druckman's "Lamia" at New York Philharmonic concert;

  • 1988 - Steven Stucky: "Concerto for Orchestra," in Philadelphia;

  • 1989 - Christopher Rouse: “Iscariot” for chamber orchestra, in St. Paul, Minn., by the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, John Adams conducting;

  • 1993 - Daniel Asia: Symphony No. 4, by the Phoenix Symphony, the composer conducting;

  • 1994 - Steven Mackey: "Eating Greens" for orchestra, by the Chicago Symphony, Dennis Russell Davies conducting.

  • 1994 - Christopher Rouse: Flute Concerto, by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra conducted by Hans Vonk, with soloist Carol Wincenc;

  • 1995 - Michael Torke: “Flint” for chamber ensemble, in Palermo, Italy, by The Brass Group.

Love the music?

Donate by phone
1-800-562-8440

Show your support by making a gift to YourClassical.

Each day, we’re here for you with thoughtful streams that set the tone for your day – not to mention the stories and programs that inspire you to new discovery and help you explore the music you love.

YourClassical is available for free, because we are listener-supported public media. Take a moment to make your gift today.

More Ways to Give

Your Donation

$5/month
$10/month
$15/month
$20/month
$

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

VIEW ALL EPISODES

Latest Composers Datebook® Episodes

YourClassical

Britten's 'Cantata Academica'

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976): ‘Cantata Academica’ (‘Carmen Basiliense’); Jennifere Vyvyan, soprano; Helen Watts, mezzo-soprano; Peter Pears, tenor; Owen Brannigan, bass; London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra; George Malcolm, conductor; Decca 4251532

2:00
Get Composers Datebook in your inbox
YourClassical

Anton Arensky

Anton Arensky (1861-1906): Piano Trio No. 1; Rembrandt Trio; Dorian 90146

2:00
YourClassical

A modern Monteverdi premiere

Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643): ‘L’Incoronazione di Poppea’; soloists; Vienna Concentus Music Vienna; Nikolaus Harnoncourt, conductor; Teldec 42547

2:00
YourClassical

Leoni in San Francisco

Franco Leoni (1864-1937): ‘L’Oracolo’; Tito Gobbi, baritone; National Philharmonic; Richard Bonynge, conductor; London OSA-12107; LP

2:00
YourClassical

Schoenberg for Winds

Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951): ‘Theme and Variations’; Peabody Conservatory Wind Ensemble; Harlan D. Parker, conductor; Naxos 8.570403

2:00
YourClassical

Mahler's Ninth

Gustav Mahler (1860-1911): Symphony No. 9; Columbia Symphony; Bruno Walter, conductor; Sony 64452

2:00
YourClassical

Mendelssohn's Second

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847): Symphony No. 2 (‘Hymn of Praise’); Netherlands Radio Philharmonic and Chorus; Edo de Waart, conductor; Fidelio 9202

2:00
YourClassical

Harry Partch and Terry Riley

Harry Partch (1901-1974): ‘Delusion of the Fury’; Ensemble of Unique Instruments; Danlee Mitchell, conductor; innova 406 Terry Riley (b. 1935): ‘In C’; SUNY at Buffalo Ensemble; Terry Riley, conductor; CBS 7178

2:00
YourClassical

Reinhold Gliere

Reinhold Glière (1875-1956): ‘Russian Sailors’ Dance,’ from ‘The Red Poppy’; Philadelphia Orchestra; Eugene Ormandy, conductor; BMG 63313 Reinhold Glière (1875-1956): Symphony No. 3; Ilya Murometz; London Symphony; Leon Botstein, conductor; Telarc 80609

2:00
VIEW ALL EPISODES

About Composers Datebook®

Host John Birge presents a daily snapshot of composers past and present, with timely information, intriguing musical events and appropriate, accessible music related to each.

He has been hosting, producing and performing classical music for more than 25 years. Since 1997, he has been hosting on Minnesota Public Radio's Classical Music Service. He played French horn for the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops Orchestra and performed with them on their centennial tour of Europe in 1995. He was trained at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Eastman School of Music and Interlochen Arts Academy.

About Composers Datebook®
YourClassical Radio
0:00
0:00