Here is the beginning of a compilation of the recordings of which I am a part. Some of them I am a small part, and I love these very much. Like singing a drone ‘D’ on Lisa Bielawa’s “Wait,” on Andrew Armstrong’s superb eponymous disc; or the Hurdy-gurdy credit I get for playing on Early Music New York’s “Medieval Love.” Also included are the several CDs on which I played bass. Many of the discs are still available for sale. A Google search and a few clicks will lead you there.

Of course, my first release with the Sheep Island Ensemble

One of my favorite CDs. I highly recommend it. Plus, look at that hair!

An unusual and original take on the Christmas CD genre. Some really fun music making.

A lot of high singing. A beautiful CD.

My last CD as a bassist, and we were NOMINATED FOR A GRAMMY! Well done, Ron!

Lisa's first release on the Tzadik label. I sing one of the anguished counter-tenor solos on "Lamentations for a city."

Beautiful playing on this album; I contribute a D drone on Lisa Bielawa's "Wait," along with Yonah Zur on Violin and the composer. Beautiful music.

My harmonistrum debut!

I was recently sent this link, and wanted to share it. It is a video about the music camp I took part in last year as a member of the Trinity Choir. It’s really well done.

Watch it here.

Last night was one of those crazy, beautiful nights that sound too extraordinary to recount with credibility, but it did, I am assured by both documentary evidence and eye-witness reports, happen.

To celebrate the opening of the beautiful loft of a close friend of mine, I organized an orchestra of 45 professional New York musicians to play Brahms 2 for an audience of 75 in his living room. Yes, it is an extraordinary space, and he is an amazing man.

The feeling in the room was excited, joyful, festive. The reading of the piece was fresh (we had less than 3 hours to rehearse the entire symphony), but full of vigor. Because the space was so small, dynamics had to come down, but people could hear each other in new ways, and essentially everyone was a principal player, in the thick of the action. The brass were heroic, and we indulged them (and they indulged my indulgence) by having them stand for the final exultant fanfares of the fourth movement. Afterwards we drank delicious 2001 Barolo and visited the roof-deck, where we could see the Empire State Building. It was a truly exultant evening.

This morning, I had the great honor of having my music performed by the Trinity Choir, directed by my great friend Steven Fox. They (we) performed two movements of my mass, the Gloria and Sanctus/Benedictus. The choir sounded great, the music was exciting and playful, and the church gave me a very gracious welcome. You can watch it here.

I’m not generally a fan of self-congratulatory behavior or writing, but this weekend was a great celebration for me of what I care about, and the direction I am headed professionally, and so I am indulging in posting about it here. Conducting one of my favorite pieces with a smart ensemble for an enthusiastic audience, trying something new in the process, and hearing my music performed expertly in a real liturgical setting was a combination I want to remember as a highlight of my career thus far.

View from the convertible

I woke up this morning fully dressed in my dress suit, sign of a good night. Read the rest of this entry »

Just plain good writing.  Read the rest of this entry »

Basel, Switzerland
30 August, 2009

Living in the center of town, in a beautiful apartment near the train station. A minimization of living needs: I eat out three meals, drink lots of water, do the pushups to stay in form as I dive into the execrable task of putting all the notes into the computer. After this unenviable task,  I will work further with printouts, changing, developing, modifying, generally improving: that will be fun. For now, just the hard labour of inputting.

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Ten days in the little village, and now, to leave, my heart aches. I have fallen in love with your little streets, your ancient church open to the public, where I sang alone one afternoon. With the 15th century house where I composed, slept, ate, worked in the garden; the cat with whom I fell in love. The many friends, the long endless delicious meals and so much exquisite wine. The rides en velo, walks, the run through vineyards. All the crazy parties where I understood only a few words, and then later, understood more. Living a simpler life, and being calm as a result. Connecting to the outside world for pleasure, not obligation. Working long hours writing, and then, when I was done, being done. Cooking a meal; taking an excursion, writing a long letter, doing the laundry. Yes, there were many times of indecision; but there were also times of decisiveness. Most of all, there was clarity of mission. During the week: to write. On the weekend, to relax.

Grateful for the friends I made, and for the piece I wrote in this beautiful little town.

This is the first of several posts about this magical town, and it is just an excuse to share some photos.

View down the street Read the rest of this entry »

An example of a well-written review, one with perspective, with an opinion, with the guts to say something. And fun to read. Read the rest of this entry »