Six Bagatelles premiered at Musiqa’s Traces of Blue

A new piano trio, Six Bagatelles, received its premiere on Musiqa’s January 12th concert “Traces of Blue,” dedicated to music and visual art. Six Bagatelles is dedicated to the memory of Ed Shoemake, former board chair for Musiqa, and is inspired by the work of American artist Robert Motherwell (1915-1991). Performers Natalie Lin (violin), Wesley Ducote (piano) and Barrett Sills (cello) presented the premiere alongside works of Hartke, Loiacano, Gosfield, and a live, on-stage painting by artist Geraldina Interiano Wise. Each short bagatelle is inspired by a single iconic print by Motherwell (below), the images projected during the performance. A preview of the concert appeared in the Houston Chronicle.

1. Mezzotint in Indigo
2. Yellow Chord
3. Gauloises Bleues
4. Orange Lyric
5. Three Forms on Red
6. Black Elegy Returning Black (Nocturne)

New CD “Studies in Nature” released on Centaur Records

November 2018 saw the release of a chamber and vocal music CD on Centaur Records, entitled “Studies in Nature.” The recording includes performances of Studies in Nature, Canticle and Caprice, Cinderella, Quelques Fleurs, Luctus Profugis and Orange Torches Against the Rain. Its large cast of performers include Sheldon Person, Matthew Roitstein, Stephanie Gustafson. Aidan Soder, Grant Loehnig, Natalie Lin, Ab Sengupta, Julia Cleworth, Wesley Ducote, Jakob Nierenz, Thomas Frey, Boson Mo, Ling Ling Huang, Jarita Ng, Max Geissler, Aaron Perdue, Lin Ma, Greg Hammond, Philip Hembree, Craig Hauschildt, Jerry Hou and the Kinetic Ensemble. Many of the works on the CD share a naturalistic theme: the title piece and the cover art is inspired by the captivating illustrations of biologist and naturalist Ernst Haeckel (1834—–1919), seen at left; the song cycle “Orange Torches Against the Rain” sets texts of flowers and rain by American poet Amy Lowell; and the trio Quelques Fleurs is inspired by the scent of flowers. “Canticle and Caprice” is a short two-part piece for string trio. A work for string orchestra, “Luctus Profugis” is a lament, an elegy for the victims of the European migrant crisis. Finally, “Cinderella,” scored for a large mixed ensemble of nine players, was written to accompany the 1922 silent silhouette film by Lotte Reiniger (the film and music can be seen below). The CD (CENTAUR 3659) is available online at iTunes, amazon.com and ArkivMusik.

Visions Take Flight: new CD from River Oaks Chamber Orchestra

The River Oaks Chamber Orchestra recently released its first recording: Visions Take Flight. A double CD consisting of all newly commissioned works, the recording includes Visions from Another World, a piece commissioned by the orchestra in 2008. The recording also features compositions by Derek Bermel (Murmurations), Reena Esmail (Teen Murti), Anthony DiLorenzo (Jabberwocky) and Marcus Maroney (Concerto for Chamber Orchestra). Mei-Ann Chen conducts this debut recording, produced by Grammy-winner Blanton Alspaugh on Innova Records. The recording process, which was interrupted in Houston by the arrival of hurricane Harvey, is chronicled in a short behind the scenes video introducing the CD.


“Visions Take Flight” is available at iTunes, amazon.com and ArkivMusik. Program notes are available here. Reviews of the recording have appeared in I care if you listen, BBC Music Magazine’s December podcast, Houston Public Media, Log Journal September Playlist, MidWest Record, artsfuse and Textura.

Lamentation on The Disasters of War receives European Premiere with Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

The string orchestra version of Lamentation on The Disasters of War received its European premiere in Amsterdam with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra under the direction of Cristian Macelaru on October 18th and 19th. It joined a program of works by Weill and Shostakovich. Reviews in NRC Handelsblad, Opera Magazine and HTodsunden Parool

Parizade and the Singing Tree premiere at Cabrillo

Parizade and the Singing Tree premiered at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music at their annual Family Concert on August 5. Directed by Cristian Macelaru and narrated by Nora el Samahy, this new orchestral transcription of the work (originally for sextet) was commissioned by the festival. In addition, Luctus Profugis was performed as an unannounced addition to the Saturday August 4th concert, entitled “After Dixieland.” Reviews: San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Classical Voice, Performing Arts Monterey, Monterey Herald, Classical Voice North America.

New orchestration of Parizade and the Singing Tree to premiere at Cabrillo Festival

Maxfield Parrish, Parizade and the Singing Tree

A new orchestration of the 2001 work Parizade and the Singing Tree will be premiered at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music on August 5th, 2018, as part of the festival’s free family concert.

Nora el Samahy

Conducted by festival director, Cristian Macelaru and narrated by Nora el Samahy, the story recounts the adventures of Parizade, the daughter of the palace gardener, as she seeks out the famed “Singing Tree.”

The charming folk tale has as its source an episode from the Thousand Nights and A Night [Alf laylah wa-laylah] collection of folktales—or the so-called ‘Arabian Nights.’ Unlike Aladdin, Ali Baba or Sindbad, Parizade is unfortunately not one of the better-known figures in the Arabian Nights. Her story is often omitted in the more popular published translations of the work. It is translated, however, in Sir Richard Burton’s encyclopedic edition of the work; it appears as one of his many ‘Supplemental Nights’ (1886–1888). Parizade’s quest for the Singing Tree—in which “many princes and noblemen” before her have failed—is an exciting tale of adventure, determination and wonderment. As is common in the long, episodic tales of the collection, Parizade’s encounter with the Singing Tree is a story embedded within a larger narrative, one entitled variously by translators as “The Sisters Who Envied their Cadette,” or “The Talking Bird, the Singing Tree, and the Golden Water.” The renowned illustrator Maxfield Parrish was captivated by Parizade’s exploits, and produced one of his most colorful and enchanting paintings (shown above) for an early 20th century edition of the Nights. Join the Cabrillo Festival Orchestra for a presentation of Parizade and the Singing Tree on Sunday August 5, at 1pm at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium.

Minnesota Orchestra presents The Prisoner

The Minnesota Orchestra, under conductor Sarah Hicks, will present The Prisoner, as part of an “Inside the Classics” summer series concert entitled “Speaking Truth to Power.” The July 28, 2018 performance features bass-baritone Kevin Deas. “Inside the Classics” is hosted by Minnesota Orchestra violist Sam Bergman. The Prisoner tells the story of Adnan Latif, one of the first men imprisoned in the US Guantánamo Bay Detention Camp in 2002. Its text is drawn from Latif’s own letters, sent to his lawyer while in captivity, and from other literary sources, including poems of Rilke, Al-Ma‘arri, Rūmī and the Book of Psalms.

Concertgebouw Orchestra to perform Lamentation on The Disasters of War

Lamentation on The Disasters of War will be performed by Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Amsterdam during their 2018–2019 season, under conductor Cristian Măcelaru. The work, for string orchestra, is inspired by the 1820 etchings by Francisco de Goya Los desastres de la guerra. The October 19th, 2018 concert will also feature Kurt Weill’s Seven Deadly Sins and Shostakovich’s Suite from “The Nose”.

Accordo performs Cinderella

A new transcription of Cinderella for piano quintet, commissioned by The Schubert Club will be performed by Accordo and guest pianist Stephen Prutsman at their “Accordo with Silent Film” concert on March 13th, 2018 at Ordway Concert Hall. Accordo is a string ensemble composed of present and former principal string players of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Minnesota Orchestra. The group has been named “Best Chamber Ensemble” by the Minneapolis Star Tribune and “the dream team of chamber music” by Minnesota Monthly. Accordo has been performing since 2008 to consistently well sold and enthusiastic audiences. The concert will include a new score by Prutsman, music to Buster Keaton’s 1927 film College. Cinderella is a score for Lotte Reiniger’s short silent silhouette film from 1922, Aschenputtel.

ALIAS Chamber Ensemble performs Stomping Grounds

Nashville new music ensemble ALIAS will be performing Stomping Grounds on their October 24th concert entitled “Unbounded Creativity.” The concert is previewed in The Tennessean and in Nashville Scene. The performers will be Lee Levine (clarinet), Alison Hoffman (violin) and Melissa Rose (piano).

A Harvey Relief Concert

Musiqa has teamed with Apollo Chamber Players and Jazz Forever to present a Hurricane Harvey Relief Concert at Houston MATCH. Dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Harvey, all proceeds from this event will go towards the Harvey Relief Funds via Greater Houston Community Foundation and Catholic Charities Houston. The program includes a premiere by Houston-based composer Mark Buller. The program is mentioned in the Arts+Culture Texas feature on the Apollo Chamber Players 2017–2018 10th anniversary season. Their season also features a performance of Capriccio for violinist Matt Detrick, written for the ensemble’s anniversary.

Radio broadcast of The Prisoner

The final concert of the 2017 Cabrillo Music Festival, featuring The Prisoner will be broadcast on KALW Radio on September 11 (!)

The Prisoner premiere

The Prisoner enjoyed a very successful premiere on August 12 at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, under their new music director Cristian Macelaru, and bass-baritone Jonathan Lemalu. Also on the program was an orchestral suite drawn from Jake Heggie’s Moby Dick created by Macelaru.

A Preview of The Prisoner

The premiere performance of The Prisoner at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music was previewed in the Santa Cruz Sentinel and in the short video introduction above, which explains the inspiration for the work.

Musiqa 2017–2018 season announced

Houston’s premier new music presenting organization Musiqa recently announced its exciting 2017–2018 season.

Bodies in Motion
September 23 | 7:30 pm
The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts Zilkha Hall,

Musiqa and Open Dance Project present a compelling evening of world premieres featuring KINETIC, the conductorless orchestra. Highlights of the program include two new pieces choreographed by Open Dance Project Artistic Director Annie Arnoult to riveting works for string orchestra by Musiqa composers Pierre Jalbert and Marcus Maroney. Plus guest artist Jane Weiner, founder and artistic director of Hope Stone Dance, choreographs Lonely Suite (Ballet for Lonely Violinist). Rounding out the program are Arnoult’s celebrated piece Stalemate with music by Andrew Bird, and Silent Moon, a duo for violin and cello, by composer Augusta Read Thomas.

Musical and Literary Ofrenda
November 2 | 5:30 pm
Lawndale Art Center

Musiqa celebrates the Mexican “Day of the Dead” with our annual five-way collaboration Musical and Literary Ofrenda at Lawndale Art Center. This free event is a collaboration with River Oaks Chamber Orchestra, Lawndale Arts Center, Inprint, and the Houston Hispanic Forum — all promoted by The Mexican Consulate. The five original musical “ofrendas” (offerings) — commissioned by ROCO from Musiqa composers — are woven amongst four original prose texts by Inprint authors, surrounded by the beautiful retablos (alterpieces) on display at Lawndale.

Looking Back in Time
January 13, 2018 | 7:30 pm
MATCH Box 4 / Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston

Travel back time and to other worlds in this program featuring works by Musiqa composers for chamber orchestra. Journey to the dawn of man with Maternity, an oratorio by Musiqa Artistic Director Anthony Brandt with libretto by frequent collaborator David Eagleman; to the banks of the Sea of Galilee in Pierre Jalbert’s Transcendental Windows inspired by Tiffany stained glass; and the fanciful, otherworldly, Visions from Another World by Karim Al-Zand. The concert features a reading by Dr. Eagleman, bestselling author of “Sum” and “Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain.” Loop38 performs, with conductor Jerry Hou and soprano Karol Bennett.

The Moving Image
March 3, 2018 | 7:30 pm
MATCH Box 4 / Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston

Experience modern cinema and music like never before. The program features cutting-edge films with live music including Anna Clyne’s Steelworks, a sonic tour de force that is edgy, individual and compelling inspired by visual artist Luke DuBois’ reimagining of the 1936 industrial film Steel: A Symphony of Industry. The evening also features Michael Gandolfi’s serene and jazzy meditation the history of the world in seven acts, a multimedia collaboration featuring the dancing animations of Jonathan Bachrach, plus short films with scores by Reena Esmail and Grawemeyer award-winning composer Michel van der Aa.

Playing Havoc
April 13, 2018 | 7:30 pm
MATCH Box 2 / Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston

Musiqa presents Playing Havoc featuring Voices from the Killing Jar by Pulitzer Prize finalist, composer/performer Kate Soper. Part monodrama, part song-cycle, part opera, Voices from the Killing Jar crosses a volatile musical landscape populated by a series of female protagonists, among them housewives, teenagers, and mothers and daughters; innocents and tragic heroines; and femmes fatales. From Madame Bovary’s passionate whirlwind of delusion, to Lady Macduff’s terrified lullaby, to Clytemnestra’s hypnotic and deadly rage, each one is brought to vivid and unforgettable life as Soper’s mercurial voice traces a path through their stories.

Cabrillo premiere of The Prisoner approaches

As its premiere performance on August 12th at the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music approaches, The Prisoner and festival director Cristian Măcelaru have been previewed in the San Francisco Classical Voice, The Mercury News, Good Times, and The Santa Cruz Sentinel. Tickets (and program notes) are available on the Cabrillo Festival website.

The Prisoner to premiere at Cabrillo Festival

Cristian Măcelaru, conductor and newly appointed director of the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, will present the world premiere of The Prisoner, a new work for bass voice and orchestra. The piece was commissioned by Măcelaru and the Cabrillo Festival and will feature renowned bass-baritone Jonathan Lemalu. The premiere performance of this 30-minute work will conclude the two week festival on August 12th, 2017.

Jonathan Lemalu, bass

The Prisoner tells the story of Adnan Latif, one of the first men imprisoned in the US Guantánamo Bay Detention Camp in 2002. Its text is drawn from Latif’s own letters, sent to his lawyer while in captivity, and from other literary sources, including poems of Rilke, Al-Ma‘arri, Rūmī and the Book of Psalms. Latif was unjustly imprisoned. Never charged with a crime, he was held at Guantánamo for more than ten years and endured daily torture and near constant abuse. Although cleared for release by several courts and military tribunals, he remained in custody until his death under mysterious circumstances in 2012. Latif’s affecting letters were collected by human rights lawyer David Remes, and his poetry is contained in the 2007 anthology Poems from Guantánamo. The Prisoner alternates the words of Latif, set to music in a dramatic narrative style, with songs reflecting on his tragic plight.

Adnan Latif’s Story
In late 2001 Adnan Latif travelled to Pakistan from his home in Yemen seeking affordable medical treatment.The 26-year-old had been experiencing neurological problems brought on by head injuries suffered in a car accident. In December Latif was caught up in a dragnet of young Arab men along the Pakistan/Afghanistan border, undertaken by bounty hunters in the aftermath of 9/11. In exchange for a reward, he was handed over to us authorities in 2002 and transferred to the newly opened Guantánamo Bay Detention Camp.

Adnan Latif (1974–2012)

While there, Latif was subjected to repeated and prolonged torture, beatings, psychological abuse and extreme deprivation. With other prisoners he participated in an extended hunger strike, during which inmates were painfully force-fed, and he attempted suicide on numerous occasions. Latif was held for almost 11 years without charge. According to documents, military tribunals had concluded multiple times that he posed no threat, and that there was no evidence to justify his continuing incarceration. He was cleared for release by officials as early as 2004 and again in 2007. A further court ruling in 2010 ordered the administration to “take all necessary and appropriate diplomatic steps to facilitate Latif’s release.” On each occasion his release was denied, first by the Bush administration and later, by the Obama administration. In September of 2012 Latif was found dead in his cell, the ninth prisoner to die at Guántanamo. An autopsy was performed but its results are classified. A year later his body was returned to Yemen, to his wife and now 14-year old son. Forty-one prisoners remain at Guantánamo today. President Trump has pledged to add to its prison population, Attorney General Jeff Sessions calling it “a very fine place.”

Luctus Profugis featured on Houston Public Media

The second episode of Encore Houston presents KINETIC, the conductorless ensemble in their season-opening concert of 2016, “Illuminations.” a concert which began with the premiere of Luctus Profugis. Encore Houston, hosted by Joshua Zinn, airs Saturdays at 10 pm, with a repeat broadcast Sundays at 4 PM, all on Houston Public Media Classical.

Duo for Flute and Cello performed at MFAH

What characterizes American classical music today? The Da Camera Young Artists explore this question at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston in a concert entitled “Defining America”. The performance features the music of living American composers Angélica Negrón, Jason Treuting, and Karim Al-Zand’s Duo for Flute and Cello. Performances are free and take place in the exhibition’s galleries at 2pm and 3pm on Saturday, February 4th. Performers include Amanda Galick, flute and Sonya Matoussova, cello.

Ring the Bells at Break of Day premièred by the Shepherd School of Music Symphony Orchestra

Ring the Bells at Break of Day was written to mark the 40th anniversary of the Shepherd School of Music, as part of a project to commission each of the school’s faculty composers on this auspicious occasion. The piece is a short, joyful and celebratory work, which commemorates the outstanding music-making that has flourished over the school’s history. The piece was premièred on December 2, 2016 under the direction of Larry Rachleff.

And, oh, the bells at break of day
That roused us, ringing merrily!
—John Morgan (1889)

I wrote Ring the Bells at Break of Day while living in Rome in 2016, and it features a stately chorale tune, Inni e canti [Hymns and Songs], which rang daily from a bell tower across the street. The graceful hymn is interrupted by a quick, punchy theme in the winds (and later, strings)—perhaps the sounds of street bustle and frenetic motor traffic. Eventually the majestic chorale returns: in a solo horn, a short fugato, and finally in combination with the ecstatic, lively music. The piece closes with the jubilant pealing of bells.

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alzand@rice.edu
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© 2015 KARIM AL-ZAND