by Steven Blier | Mar 7, 2017 | Blier's Blog
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...
by Steven Blier | Feb 17, 2017 | Song of the Day
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...
by Steven Blier | Feb 16, 2017 | Song of the Day
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...
by Steven Blier | Feb 15, 2017 | Program Notes
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:...
by Steven Blier | Feb 15, 2017 | Song of the Day
Gabriel Kahane is one of my favorite contemporary songwriters. He sprang to prominence with an early piece, “Craigslistlieder,” a brash, hilarious, and sophisticated song cycle based on internet postings. Gabe has a unique way of melding popular and classical styles,...
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