A violinist preparing to play, say, Beethoven's famous concerto will often listen to several interpretations by other performers to inspire their own. But what happens when it's a work so new that there aren't any other recordings? Ask the composer! The performers of this week's Morning Glories were lucky enough to work directly with the composers to shape the premiere versions of these five concertos.
Monday:
James MacMillan: Oboe Concerto
In his notes on MacMillan's oboe concerto, dedicatee Nicholas Daniel writes, "Almost any great new concerto stretches and expands the soloist's technique and expression in new ways." It's a bold concerto, requiring a balance of incredible agility and passionate lyricism, exploiting and expanding those hallmarks of Daniel's style.
Tuesday
Anna Clyne: Prince of Clouds
Violinist Jennifer Koh is a powerhouse in the contemporary classical world, commissioning works from many notable up-and-coming composers. This work, written for Koh and her mentor Jaime Laredo, honors both the tradition of the student/teacher relationship and of reverence for the works of Johann Sebastian Bach.
Wednesday
Philip Lasser: Piano Concerto "The Circle and the Child"
In a recent New Classical Tracks article, pianist Simone Dinnerstein talks about how her friend and collaborator Philip Lasser sought her input while writing this piano concerto.
Thursday
Mason Bates: Violin Concerto
Bates likens a composer's ambition to write a violin concerto to an athlete's Olympic dreams— and in his case, one of his trainers is the violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, whose guidance through the compositional process led him to a successful finish.
Friday
Eric Ewazen: Triple Concerto
There's not just one, but THREE world premiere recordings on the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra's new CD, "Built for Buffalo", each written for soloists from the orchestra. Ewazen, known within brass circles for his playful and challenging works, showcases the energetic virtuosity of the BPO's amazing trombonists.
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