Open Music in Portland, solo show in Seattle, choral music in Minneapolis & Philly
Hearing a new piece is always thrilling and terrifying. A couple weeks back, I had an experience of an altogether different order, witnessing the premiere of Heirloom, the piano concerto I’d written for my dad, and a piece which serves as an aural history of our family, from my grandmother’s escape from Nazi Germany to the first years of my young daughter’s life. The Kansas City Symphony, returning to full orchestral performances for the first time in eighteen months, sounded fabulous—their Mahler 1 under Michael Stern’s baton was at once full of humor and portent—but more importantly, they were kind and generous at a time that feels fragile and uncertain for all of us. And my dad — what can I say — he played beautifully and with ferocious intensity; I was moved to tears. Those in the Pacific Northwest can book tickets now for the next performances of the piece, which will occur this coming March with the Oregon Symphony.
Then it was onto New York to play my first show in the city since the pandemic began. I sang a dozen new songs, and am so grateful to all those who were there for their generosity of spirit as I tried out new material. I’ll be offering up a similar set at the Meany Center for the Performing Arts in Seattle on November 6th. I’d love to see you there.
Before I forget, I should mention that tomorrow evening, Wednesday, October 6th, at 7:30pm, is the first installment of Open Music, hosted by me, presented by the Oregon Symphony at The Old Church in Portland. I’ll be in conversation with the wonderful composer Kenji Bunch, and we’ll hear music by Béla Bartók, Morton Feldman, inti figgis-vizueta, Johannes Brahms, Johnny Cash (sort of), Hawa Kassé Mady Diabaté, and Kenji himself. Tickets are $20 and are available here. (Vaccine cards or negative COVID test required; all must be masked!)
Last but not least, two pieces of choral music to tell you about!
On October 16th, VocalEssence will give the premiere of a new choral work, We are the Saints, at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. Tickets are here.
On November 21st, The Crossing will give the premiere of another new choral work, Choral Music: a memoir, at Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill in Philly. Tickets are here.That’s all for now folks!
All my best,
Gabriel
