April 30, 2003
Contact: Peter Gries (509-963-1216/fax 509-963-1239/e-mail: griesp@cwu.edu)
ELLENSBURG, Wash. - It’s generally agreed that George Crumb is not among your typical American composers in the second half of the 20th century. While he’s not necessarily a household name, Crumb’s music, which has been called a rich blend of new and innovative techniques, often involving aspects of theater, is well respected within classical music circles.
Peter Gries, Central Washington University music department chair, lists Crumb among America’s most respected living composers.
“Crumb uses unusual instruments, or usual instruments in unusual ways, creating a unique palette of timbral effects,” Gries says. “These unusual sounds are part of a theatrical intent that creates a compelling atmosphere -- not just music, per se, but a psychologically gripping dramatic experience.”
Crumb’s masterpiece, “Star-Child,” has been selected as the feature piece for a special presentation by the CWU music department, Friday, May 16 at 8 p.m., in the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium at Benaroya Hall in Seattle.
The Ford Foundation commissioned “Star-Child” – for soprano, solo trombone, antiphonal children’s voices, male speaking choir, bell ringers and large orchestra, which premiered on May 5, 1977. Revised in 1979, it received a 2001 Grammy for Best Contemporary Composition.
“Performing ‘Star-Child’ is a great opportunity because it has never been presented in the Northwest,” Gries adds, “and being able to present the Northwest premiere of substantive work by a major composer enhances the attractiveness of the whole concert.”
The concert will also feature:
- the CWU Chamber Choir, under the direction of Karyl Carlson, performing “Lamentations of Jeremiah,” by Alberto Ginastera, a work featuring his usual driving Argentinean rhythms;
- the CWU Orchestra, conducted by Paul-Elliot Cobbs, presenting Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story,” recognized as one the landmarks of the American Musical Theater; and,
- the CWU Wind Ensemble, directed by Larry Gookin, performing the Peter Graham work “Harrison’s Dream,” based on the historical development of a clock that would enable a ship’s crew to ascertain their exact location on the high seas, along with two other works by Percy Grainger.
Performances by the CWU Trumpet Choir, Trombone Choir, Flute Choir, Jazz Choir 1 and Jazz Band 1 will complete the program.
Tickets for CWU’s Benaroya performance are $30 general admission and $10 for students and are available at Ticketmaster outlets. For more information, consult the music department Web site at www. cwu.edu/~music or call (509) 963-1216. For persons of disability to arrange for reasonable accommodation or for the hearing impaired, call TDD (509) 963- 2143.
