This Conducting Life: Conductor and Composer David Bloom

Conductor and Composer David Bloom

The first time I saw David Bloom was at the first-ever Contemporaneous concert I attended. I saw Bloom conduct that night, and he also played a mean clarinet. I later learned he’s a composer, too, and I’m eager for more opportunities to hear his work. As a conductor, Bloom devours new scores, no matter the level of difficulty, with pure delight, and he’s fun to watch in action, too. I’m pleased to present the multi-talented David Bloom on Prufrock’s Dilemma.

This Composing Life: Composer Dylan Mattingly

Composer Dylan Mattingly (Photograph by Dávid Adam Nagy)

Composer John Coolidge Adams describes Dylan Mattingly as: “a hugely talented young composer who writes music of wild imagination and vigorous energy.” I agree. I’ve spilled a lot of ink about Mattingly and his music over the last two years. For now, suffice it to say, I’ve played my CD of Contemporaneous performing Stream of Stars, Music of Dylan Mattingly, so many times I’ve worn it out. I’m delighted to feature Dylan Mattingly on This Composing Life.

This Composing Life: Composer Lembit Beecher

Composer Lembit Beecher

I met Lembit Beecher’s mother first. On the subway, I spotted a woman I’d met at a concert I’d just attended and asked what she thought. She pointed to the fellow standing in front of her and said, “He’s the one to ask.” And that’s how I met Lembit Beecher.

This Composing Life: Composer Jesse Alexander Brown

Composer Jesse Alexander Brown

One of the first pieces of 21st century classical/new music I heard performed live was Contemporaneous‘s performance of Jesse Alexander Brown’s Through the Motions. Up to that point, as a “new music” neophyte, I’d never heard a piece that included three mallet instruments (along with strings, piano, and flute). Through the Motions danced and shimmered; the flute floated over jewel-like rhythms with melodic grace. I thought, if this is what’s on offer in the world of current classical music, you can definitely count me in.

This Composing Life: Composer Molly Joyce

Composer Molly Joyce

Update: Molly Joyce, whose 2012 interview appears below, has a track up for GRAMMY consideration. Please join me in wishing her the best of luck. (You can listen to Form and Flee on the listening list at the end of the interview.)

I first learned of Molly Joyce at the Contemporaneous concert Just for Us. Her piece Dollhouse was one of those chosen by Contemporaneous in its call for scores for that year. She explained that her composition came out of a dark time when she was questioning her “whole pursuit of a career as a composer.” What was astounding to me at the time, and remains so, is the way she composed her way through that dark time to create a piece of such affirming joy.