STILLPOINT, an album created by Awadagin Pratt (PC ’89, Piano; PC ’89, Violin; GPD ’92, Conducting), was released on New Amsterdam records on August 25. Pratt explores T.S. Eliot’s Four Quartets in a collection of six newly-commissioned works of profound grace, power, and depth. The album is a collaboration between Pratt; the Grammy-winning vocal band, Roomful of Teeth; the democratically run string orchestra, A Far Cry; and a stellar array of composers including Alvin Singleton, Jessie Montgomery, Judd Greenstein, Paola Prestini (BM ’95, Composition), Pēteris Vasks, and Tyshawn Sorey.
Peter Dayton Produces Fall Recital Featuring Peabody Alumni Reply
Join composer Peter Dayton (MM ’16, Composition) for a celebration of the change of season: a concert of songs on the autumn themes of transition, mortality, and nature. “The Saunter into Autumn” features an eclectic program of contemporary art song, featuring sopranos Katie Procell (MM ’18, Voice) and Arianna Arnold (MM 18, Voice) singing works by Baltimore-based composers Dayton and Michael Rickelton (MM ’10, Composition), as well as works by Tania León and Carl Smith. Baritone (and pianist) Aaron Thacker (MM ’16, Piano) will give the world premiere of Dayton’s “In the Desert” song cycle, setting poetry by Stephen Crane. All ticket sales will go to the performing artists. Dayton and collaborative pianists Valerie Hsu and Thacker will accompany. This concert is supported by the Maryland State Arts Council.
Shelley Shao Tours China With Lecture Recital Series Reply
Chinese pianist Shelley Shao (MM ’23, Piano) completed a recital tour through China called “Voice of the Unheard” in the cities of Hangzhou, Wenzhou, and Beijing. The recital series was her debut recital tour in China, and the repertoire focused on the relationship between colors and corresponding musical works, based on her previous lecture recital compilations of music with visual arts. The first series was named “Tone Exhibition,” which Shelley curated back in 2018, after which she was invited by The Young Musicians Pioneer Project to perform a recital tour in Japan, including Kyoto, Kawasaki, and Chiba in the 2022 concert season.
Henry Dorn’s “Transitions” to be Performed in Detroit and Atlanta Reply
Henry Dorn’s (MM ’20, Wind Conducting, Composition) piece Transitions will be featured on the Detroit and Atlanta Symphony Orchestras’ 2023-24 Seasons. In Detroit, Dorn’s piece will be performed alongside Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, Op. 15 and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43 January 18-20. The Atlanta Symphony will perform Transitions February 29 and March 2 with Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and Siblelius’ Symphony No. 3. Osmo Vänskä conducts all performances.
Paola Prestini Premieres The Old Man and the Sea in November Reply
Composer Paola Prestini (BM ’95, Composition) and librettist Royce Vavrek’s The Old Man and the Sea opera receives its premiere November 4 at Arizona State University; it was commissioned by Beth Morrison Projects and ASU Gammage.
The Peabody Post