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Notes on the Program by Steven Blier for Four Islands March 14, 2017 at Merkin Concert Hall. Buy tickets here > NOTES ON THE PROGRAM I always used to joke that one of the important things Michael Barrett and I had in common was that we both came from islands:...
Tuesday is traditionally the most carefree play-day at Caramoor. The Sunday concert still seems a long way off, memorization is not making everyone into zombies, and we can still do some real exploration with the singers and the songs. Michael and I have a sense of...
I always look forward to the first day of Caramoor rehearsal, but I also fear the first day of Caramoor rehearsal. This year’s outing, Four Islands, is a complicated show with songs from Ireland, Cuba, Madagascar, and Manhattan in five languages (including Gaelic and...
William Bolcom is my musical godfather. I’ve known him since the late 1970s—Alvin Epstein introduced us after one of their Tully Hall concerts. When I met Bill’s wife Joan Morris I said, “Oh you were so wonderful this evening—but I am sure you must be tired of hearing...
I couldn't do a week of American song blogs without featuring my friend John Musto. I first heard him at a memorial concert for Paul Jacobs, who had been my piano teacher for a little while. John was playing a duo-piano piece (Schubert, I think) that night. Both guys...
Notes on the Program by Steven Blier for Picnic Cantata / Dinner at Eight February 21, 2017 at Merkin Concert Hall. Buy tickets here > SIX PACKETS OF OATMEAL In the past several seasons, NYFOS has been lucky enough to present three songs cycles by Gabriel Kahane:...