Tag Archives: premiere

Scriabin Response Project Premiere Concert

Last night, pianist Kristofer Rucinski performed the premiere concert of his Scriabin Response Project, in which he commissioned twelve composers to respond to Alexander Scriabin’s 12 Etudes, Op. 8. While I was not able to attend, I heard that the concert went wonderfully. Not only did Kris perform all 24 pieces, but he memorized them as well! The second part of this project will be a studio album recording– I greatly look forward to hearing the results and sharing them with you.

For now, have a listen to the Scriabin etude to which I was asked to respond:

…And the poster for my individual etude:

“I Take These Pills” Premiere

I’ve just posted a new video on my YouTube channel – the premiere of “I Take These Pills”, commissioned and performed by the Urban Playground Chamber Orchestra. This piece is part of the 2016 leg of their nonet commissioning project: “9×9: New Music”.

From the program notes: “Whenever I get to a certain point in building a familiar to close relationship with someone, the topic inevitably surfaces. ‘Well, I have chronic anxiety and depression, so I take these pills to regulate my day-to-day existence in the world.” After Tom Cunningham, (UPCO director and the piece’s commissioner) told me that the commission theme centered around one’s personal take on the concept of “adequacy”, I immediately thought of my daily interaction with depression and anxiety, and by proxy, the medication that is supposed to help.

“I take these pills” is such a direct statement, and one which I say with intent but without drama, without stigma. I find it quite satisfying to express such a significant, yet ordinary part of my life through a piece of my own music.”

It’s been awhile!

Happy end of summer, internet! I’ve been in a sun-induced stupor for a few months, but have some exciting projects and events coming up this fall that I’ll post about in the coming weeks.

The most immediate news: the lovely and talented Elizabeth Zharoff will be performing a new video game arrangement of mine at a recital on September 1st in Leavenworth, WA (more info on my Events page). How Long Have I Been Playing? is an art song for soprano and piano, arranging the main theme from my beloved World of Warcraft in a concert music style. Sarcastic? Yes. Dramatic? Yes. The performance will be recorded, so I hope to share that with all of you at a later date. This piece is part of a larger collaborative song cycle, which I will talk more about when the time comes!

For now, enjoy the original theme, and imagine how I might turn this into a classical art song…