News

Since/while indulging in the aforementioned respite, I’ve been busy working on a variety of projects.

Today, I conducted the premiere of Spires Unceasing with the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra. It was received enormously well; I was cheered that a number of people who normally “dislike contemporary music” were mesmerized, apparently. I think this phenomenon has a lot to do with the color changes in the piece, which the players learned to achieve well. The program notes and pre-concert talk helped, I believe. There is a lot more energy and vitality in a string orchestra of this age than I’d expected, and I think it was put to good use. Had an enjoyable experienced. Rumored to be conducting it with them in Ashland, Oregon in a few weeks.
Another part of my life is beginning to materialize; the opera project set in Sarajevo which Peter Schueller and I are working on seems to be a worthy venture. I’ve been reading firsthand accounts (in Sarajevo, Srebrenica and Zagreb) of the “troubles” from 1991-1995 as well as some general Yugoslavian histories. It’s an easily misunderstood region and I think I will need to spend some time there to witness the sort of transcendence Bosnians achieve. I’ll be applying to a variety of organizations for support. The libretto team (headed by Peter) is starting to come together and includes a respected visual artist, a vocalist from the former USSR, and hopefully some U.N. personnel and journalists from the region. While there is no terminal deadline, I’m conceiving writing the piece within the next four years.

Finally, I am (continually) working on chamber music for various Los Angeles musicians as well as a dear friend from Bulgaria who’s beginning her studies at Guildhall (London) this autumn. I’m beginning to compile works for my final recital at USC as well as for graduate program admissions. It is wonderful to see old and new faces while I am on my “respite.” I feel enormously refreshed and enjoy the clean air, relative peace, and safety.
Best wishes.