Friday evening November 7, 2008, 8PM, at the Greenwich House Music School, 46 Barrow Street, Greenwich Village, NYC, New Music Connoisseur (NMC) magazine and the Composers Concordance combine forces to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Composers Concordance concert series and pay tribute to composer Leo Kraft. Kraft is a Queens College Professor Emeritus, and he has been an advisor and mentor to both organizations since their inceptions. Please join us to celebrate this special Composers Concordance Anniversary and Fundraiser for New Music Connoisseur.

In addition to a special award presentation by NMC to Leo Kraft, the Composers Concordance will be featuring the following works:

Elliott Carter's Esprit Rude/Esprit Doux, in celebration of Carter's 100th birthday year. This challenging piece, written by Carter as a special tribute to Pierre Boulez on his 60th birthday will be performed by new music champions Erin Lesser, flute and Carol McGonnell, clarinet. This piece emphasizes the difference in breathing attacks for the instruments, inspired by Carter's linguistic studies.

Leo Kraft's own Five Sonnets of William Shakespeare, performed by Mark Bleekey, tenor with the redoubtable Christopher Oldfather at the piano, shows his most recent compositional style, mixing in tonal elements with chromaticism and calling for exceptional performance skills in the musical interplay.

Otto Luening's Second Suite for Solo Flute builds upon Luening's long experience as a flutist and emphasizes the coloristic possibilities as well as the varied articulations of the instrument. Combining dance elements and rubato, Luening creates a masterful and varied work. Erin Lesser will reveal the flute's versatility and mystery here.

Joseph Pehrson's Transpian enhances the sonority of the piano with electronics, based upon an unusual 21-note scale that approximates just intonation. As performed by Cesar Vuksic, this work provides dramatic dynamic contrasts, unique textures and variety of sound.

Patrick Hardish ends the concert with a bang with a repeat performance of a new work, Solo for Pete. Written for drum set, Hardish's piece reflects his enthusiasm for, and knowledge of, jazz and big band styles. This work showcases the amazing capabilities of percussion virtuoso Peter Jarvis, for whom it was written and who will be performing.

A reception with food will follow in the friendly and appealing Greenwich House Music School facility. Tickets are $20 (special fundraiser price), $10 student discount.

Composers Concordance
P.O. Box 3620548
New York, NY 10129-0548, USA
212-564-4899 (phone and fax)
info@composersconcordance.org
www.composersconcordance.org