New Commission

I’m pleased to announce that pianist Jennifer Hedstrom and percussionist Sean Kleve have commissioned me to write a piano and vibes/marimba duo for an October 1st deadline.  They hope to perform the work at a recital in Madison this December or the following January.  As always, I’ll keep updating as time progresses.

Also, I’m still working on Brett Keating’s Sonata.  I’m hoping to finish the entire work by the end of this month,  and I’m really looking forward to the performance of the music in Switzerland this fall!

Excitement from Xavier Nuez

Nuez wrote up a nice little paragraph on his website about how excited he is to hear of his art being used in a slide show during a performance of the sonata I’m writing for Brett Keating.  Brett and I, too, are very excited, and I can’t wait to share my music with Xavier!

(On a side note, you’ll find the same link in a comment he left in my 28 December blog post.  I’m terribly bad at going through and approving comments in a timely fashion.  But, I finally got around to approving his from 1 March.  Also, I get so many spam comments that I might accidentally delete a legitimate comment.  So sorry if that happens to you!  You can always send an email to let me know that I did this at lang.thomas.c@gmail.com.)

European Premiere This Fall

Just an update on the sonata (for euphonium, four trombones, and two percussionists) I’m writing for Brett Keating.  I’m nearly finished with the “Glam Bugs” movement, and I can’t wait to “engrave” the manuscript in Finale so I can send it to him.  I’m really terribly excited to continue on with the other movements.  I’m thinking I’ll be writing the “Alleys and Ruins” movement next.

It’s also looking like the sonata will receive its premiere in Luzern, Switzerland this fall.  I’ll post updates again as plans start to solidify.  Also, early plans to get the sonata published are under way.  More on that, too, as things progress.

Sonata for Euphonium, Trombones, and Percussion

I’m pleased to announce that yesterday I started working on a commission from Brett Keating, a sonata for euphonium, four trombonists, and two percussionists.  This is rather a quite neat work, as the sonata itself is inspired by the work of photographer Xavier Nuez.  We’re titling each of the three movements after a collection of Xavier’s photographs: Glam Bugs, Crystals, and Alleys and Ruins.

This is a May 2012 deadline, and Brett just informed me that he’s planning a summer recital in Luzern.

Announcement from Dr. Tom: “Via the Void” on YouTube

(Yes, the UW system officially conferred upon me the Doctor of Musical Arts.  I couldn’t resist using my well-earned title in at least one headline!)

Go to YouTube to listen to and watch a performance of my first work for Pierrot ensemble, which premiered in Madison, WI on 24 September 2011 at my second and final DMA lecture recital.  You’ll also get a chance to see me conduct the ensemble.  Morgann Davis, Rosemary Brumbelow, Peiyun Lee, Christine Liu, Emily Gruselle, Sean Kleve, Brett Walter, and Jennifer Hestrom perform.

Live Stream of Lecture Recital

Here is a link to a live stream of the lecture recital for this Saturday 24 September.  This is the first time Gabe and I have tried something like this, so we’re hoping all will go well.  The stream should start at 6:00pm.  The recital starts at 6:30pm, and the stream will continue until the very end of the recital.

If you can’t make it to Morphy Recital Hall in the Humanities Building in Madison, WI, then I hope you’ll at least be able to tune in!

Lecture Recital: 24 September 2011

Just another formal announcement that my second (and final) DMA lecture recital is 24 September 2011 at 6:30pm in Morphy Recital Hall in Madison, WI.  Gabriel Pionkowski’s installation will be up 21-28 September in the Dvorak Gallery in the Humanities Building.  Also joining us are:

Morgann Davis, flute & piccolo
Rosemary Brumbelow, clarinet & bass clarinet
Peiyun Lee, violin
Christine Liu, viola
Emily Gruselle, cello
Sean Kleve, marimba & vibes
Brett Walter, glockenspiel, crotales & triangle
Jennifer Hedstrom, piano

We had our first rehearsal just this past weekend, and it was absolutely fabulous!  I think this performance’ll be quite a show!  Come if you can!