I'm getting ready for several concerts that contain my music. The first is in Houston with the Houston Chamber Orchestra. I'm conducting a piece that I composed to feature my wife, violinist Margaret Batjer (playing concerts together seems to be the only way we ever get a weekend away from the kids.) I wrote it a few years back and then revised it with a third movement and have now tweaked it again, so it evolves with every performance. I hope to record it this summer. It's an eclectic piece incorporating my love of odd rhythm and melody. The third movement is a twisted fiddler's reel. I'm not sure what category my concert music falls into. Probably for better or worse, it has tinges of film music, because I've been doing it for so long. It's certainly something that is evolving in me and I love writing it. But I have much to learn and I do learn with every piece. We'll give it our best shot to make it something good for all the folks in Houston. Please join us if you're in the area. May 7th, Zilkha Hall.
Stay tuned for info on the Jazz Bakery concert here in LA which should be really interesting.
Comments (4)
Dear Joel,
Great to know you will record this concert piece !!! I'm so curious about the kind of music you write alone, without movie constraints. This is so exciting ! Will you be able to put more of your chamber music in a record ? Will you be able to sell it on your website ?
There are many pieces from your movies that I love and I always have this dream to listen to them in a concert (arranged or extended) form....Among all the beautiful music you have composed for movies, I would pick "John Steed I presume" from "The Avengers", it's an absolute beauty
A "Flipper" suite including the amazing "The secret weapon"
The main thematic material from "Lover's prayer" (perfect chamber music !)
"Elegance past" from "Ghosts from the abyss" is another piece that moves me so deeply...
And the great fun of a "Terminal Velocity" suite including the "airborne" theme, the "desert nocturne" theme, "cadillac freefall", "russian gold" (this string section from 0:40 to 1:10 just before the russian chorale is just incredible!!!) and the end title !
Maybe a Disney suite including your favorite music from the many films you have scored for the studio ?
And last but not least "Imperial city" from "Shadows of the Empire" and its beautiful prokofievian section ! This piece would be so perfect for the concert hall in a contemporary program with incredible guys like Christopher Rouse, Schwantner, Kernis or Torke !
and so many other pieces of course !!!!
Posted by David from France | April 25, 2007 3:29 PM
Posted on April 25, 2007 15:29
Please keep us informed as to the recording of *any* of your work.
I'd love to hear it live, but I'm located on the East coast - and with my workload, I can't even make it to Tanglewood most of the time!
Posted by Justin | April 25, 2007 8:06 PM
Posted on April 25, 2007 20:06
Joel,
You have really piqued my curiosity with the desciption of this piece. I, too, am in New England and can't make the concert, but look forward to a recording of this work.
Best wishes
Jim
Posted by Jim | April 28, 2007 2:34 AM
Posted on April 28, 2007 02:34
We're so happy to have you and Maragaret down this way to perform. We'll be coming in from a couple of hours away and hopefully we'll get a chance to come say "Hi"! I've been eager to hear this piece since I first heard about its premiere with the LACO - when I saw you were bringing this to Houston it seemed almost too good to be true.
Our Southern hospitality and cuisine await, hope you guys have a great time! In a bit of blog crossover, I have a restaurant rec - just the floor above the concert hall in the Hobby Center is the beautiful Artistas headed by chef Michael Cordua, divine sea bass and a gorgeous view to boot.
Good luck on the performance, it's so nice to have the chance to hear your "other" composing side!
All the best,
Greta
Posted by Greta Brannan | April 29, 2007 12:33 AM
Posted on April 29, 2007 00:33