by Steven Blier | Feb 18, 2024 | Program Notes
Most people assume that all performers want to hog the spotlight, and that singers in particular care about nothing but their solo moments. After all, what other musicians warm up by braying, “me, me, me, ME, me, me, me” at the top of their lungs? Yet what...
by Steven Blier | Jan 18, 2024 | Program Notes
For three decades, it has been NYFOS’ pleasure and honor to throw musical birthday parties for Ned Rorem. Our first was for his 70th, which brought in the largest audience we ever had at our home at the Greenwich House Music School. Five years later, we commissioned...
by Steven Blier | Dec 3, 2023 | Program Notes
Four decades ago I found myself at a week-long residency on the Princeton campus, studying song repertoire with a roster of legendary recitalists. At one of those master classes I heard my first Argentinean art song—“La rosa y el sauce,” by Carlos Guastavino. After...
by Steven Blier | Sep 26, 2023 | Program Notes
After working with Peter Dugan on last year’s opening night concert, Heroes, I was eager to collaborate with him again. But on what, exactly? We met for lunch and batted ideas around for a while. As we got to the last pieces of sushi, Peter asked, “Tell me, is there...
by Steven Blier | Aug 27, 2023 | Program Notes
I chose this year’s theme, 100 Years of Broadway Love, for two reasons. First, because I thought it would have an inviting, end-of-summer appeal, offering a breather from the horrors of the daily news reports; second, because I assumed it would be a snap to program,...
by Steven Blier | Mar 14, 2023 | Program Notes
Note: Due to illness, this program’s song list has changed since the notes were written. It will be annotated from the stage at tonight’s performance. When I hear the word “Mediterranean,” I immediately think of the Cannes Film Festival, Barcelona’s...
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