Errollyn Wallen is a British composer and singer. I’ll be playing her song “North” on the Feb. 13 NYFOS Next concert. You can hear it in this clip at 28:05. I find it so interesting how composers hear their own music. When I interpret their music it’s not uncommon for me to have a very […]
Read MoreTime for 3 is a crossover group of 2 violins and a bass. They have tremendous energy and charisma, and since Charles Yang (featured violinist in NYFOS’s program 2015 program Schubert/Beatles) joined the group about 3 three years ago they have become more based in vocal music, writing much of their own material. Here is […]
Read MoreWhen Lorraine Hunt became composer Peter Lieberson’s muse, and then became Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, she sang his four Rilke Songs. These songs express a deep resonance with Peter Lieberson’s belief in Buddhism, that he found in Rilke’s text. The spaciousness of the writing, its stillness, and spiritual perspective make this one of my favorite art songs ever […]
Read MoreThis week I’ll be looking at recently written songs by young composers and their more established colleagues. Our new music series, NYFOS Next (our 10th season!), opens at the DiMenna Center on Feb. 13 with a program I’m devising, so I thought I might whet your appetite with songs that won’t necessarily be on that […]
Read MoreI thought I’d leave you on a fun note. I found this next song while I was putting together a recital. My sister Katie is actually the best sister you could ask for and I swear I’m not biased! She let me move in with her and took care of me when she was 25 […]
Read MoreThis next song was one of my grandmother’s favorites. She was an Irish Catholic girl who grew up in Pennsylvania, became a nurse and met my grandfather while working for the war effort and after getting married they started for California. She would tell the story of how they ended up living in Denver by […]
Read MoreSo I’m a big Turner Classic Movies fan. I’ll turn it on before I check any of the other movie channels to see if there’s an old movie musical on or they’ll have these marathons of movies centered around a specific actor and that’s how I came across this next song. The Marx Brothers had […]
Read MoreI have always been a huge Doris Day fan. She is the whole package. Hysterical, a fantastic actress both comedic and dramatic, and was one of the most famous recording artists from the 40’s to the late 60’s recording more than 650 songs. I remember the first movie I saw her in- Calamity Jane. People! […]
Read MoreI spent the first week of January visiting my 90-year-old great aunt in San Diego. I always have a wonderful time seeing her not only because she’s a hoot but because she also introduces me to songs I’m not familiar with from a time I have always loved (mostly the 30’s/40’s/50’s). So this week I’m […]
Read MoreWe seem to be living in the age of the “reboot,” when people can’t get enough fresh takes on old tales. And the word “Hanukkah” might even be creatively translated as such. This year’s hit collection of holiday covers and originals, HANUKKAH+, includes the likes of Jack Black, Yo La Tengo, and Loudon Wainwright III, […]
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