In the winter of 2016 and 2017, composer Thomas Keesecker composed a set of piano pieces, which would go on to grow into a hugely popular series. Keesecker saw a need for uncomplicated, introspective, hymn-based pieces that would serve to help us reflect on the themes of the season. With that need in mind, TheContinue reading “The Quiet Series | Piano Collections by Thomas Keesecker”
Category Archives: Piano
Featured Recording: Allen Shawn – Piano Works / Julia Bartha
For this month’s Featured Recording, we turn to composer Allen Shawn. Recorded in Hannover in 2013, Julia Bartha takes us through five of Shawn’s multi-movement works for piano in the Coviello Classics release, titled Allen Shawn: Piano Works–Julia Bartha, Piano. Anthony Tommasini of The New York Times writes: “This recent recording offers an immersion intoContinue reading “Featured Recording: Allen Shawn – Piano Works / Julia Bartha”
The Quiet Center – Upcoming Performances by Composer Thomas Keesecker
Thomas Keesecker will be presenting his piano collection, The Quiet Center, as an Advent reflection of music, song, and poetry at several churches this Advent Season. Sunday, November 26, 6 pm, Abiding Presence Lutheran, Ewing Township, NJ Monday, November 27, 8 pm, St Paul’s Lutheran, Glenside, PA Wednesday, November 29, 7:30 pm, SacredContinue reading “The Quiet Center – Upcoming Performances by Composer Thomas Keesecker”
Elena Ruehr piano concerto premiere – A Far Cry
Pianist Heng-Jin Park premieres Elena Ruehr’s Piano Concerto in a program exploring human migration, hosted by Boston-based A Far Cry. The work was commissioned by AFC and is based on Park’s own immigration story. Also included in the concert is Georg Phillip Telemann’s Ouverture, “les nations,” and Mieczyslaw Weinberg Symphony No. 10. A Far Cry stands at the forefrontContinue reading “Elena Ruehr piano concerto premiere – A Far Cry”
The Quiet Center: Keesecker’s introspective piano music “resonates”
The Quiet Center, Tom Keesecker’s new collection of piano music for Advent and Christmas, is refreshing in its introspection and is already resonating with players and listeners alike. From the composer: “I began composing The Quiet Center in November 2016. I finished the collection on January 20, 2017 and recorded it in February. It was myContinue reading “The Quiet Center: Keesecker’s introspective piano music “resonates” “
Kareem Roustom: October Premieres – Berlin, Portland, Canada
Kareem Roustom‘s Aleppo Songs continues to receive world-wide attention, boasting three premieres this year alone. Originally scored for solo piano, the piece celebrates what Aleppo was known for, before the uprising of 2011 led the city to war. The composer writes, “To speak today of the richness of the arts and culture in Aleppo is toContinue reading “Kareem Roustom: October Premieres – Berlin, Portland, Canada”
Chamber Music on the Fox presents film score by Daron Hagen
On September 23, pianist Yana Reznik joins Chamber Music on the Fox in a live performance of Daron Hagen‘s Piano Concerto, No. 2: Chaplin’s Tramp. The performance occurs alongside a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s silent film, The Tramp, as part of the Elgin Short Film Festival. Hagen wrote the new score for the centennial of the classic film.Continue reading “Chamber Music on the Fox presents film score by Daron Hagen”
Gramophone Magazine reviews new albums from Su Lian Tan & Michael John Trotta
Since 1923, Gramophone Magazine continues to devote itself to reviewing classical music, particularly recordings. The August 2017 issue featured two albums in the ECS Publishing Group catalog: Seven Last Words by Michael John Trotta and Revelations by Su Lian Tan. Seven Last Words, review excerpt By Guy Rickards “Trotta’s musical style is fairly straightforward….not unlike that ofContinue reading “Gramophone Magazine reviews new albums from Su Lian Tan & Michael John Trotta”
Behind-the-Scenes of Revelations: A conversation with Su Lian Tan
Su Lian Tan is a much-sought after flutist and composer whose music has been described as “the stunner of the evening,” (Washington Post) and “…refined, cultured compositions… Rewarding for everyone…A must-own for flutists and flute enthusiasts” (Fanfare Magazine). Tan is also a Professor of Music at Middlebury College in Vermont. Arsis recently featured three of herContinue reading “Behind-the-Scenes of Revelations: A conversation with Su Lian Tan”
Fanfare Magazine reviews Revelations, music of Su Lian Tan
All reviews were reprinted by permission of Fanfare Magazine. Let’s be clear from the off: Wants List material. Malaysian-born in 1966, Su Lian Tan has a uniquely expressive voice. My colleague Barnaby Rayfield, interviewing Tan in Fanfare 34:4, waxed lyrical about Tan’s achievements (FTCL, or Fellow of Trinity College, London, by age 17; postgraduate degreesContinue reading “Fanfare Magazine reviews Revelations, music of Su Lian Tan”
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