From the early 20th century to the present day, classical composers have responded to the jazz sounds that are a vital part of American culture. Soulful riffs and syncopated rhythms have intertwined themselves into the canon of classical works to a point where one wonders where one genre begins and the other ends.

Continuing the great traditions of blues, ragtime, tango, boogie-woogie, stride, funk, hip-hop and other styles, Anthony de Mare presents a delightful journey into the treasures of jazz-influenced piano works, seen through the eyes of composers who know how to effectively navigate between these two worlds.

PROGRAM:
Aaron COPLAND: Four Piano Blues (1926-48)
George ANTHEIL: Jazz Sonata (1923)
Darius MILHAUD: Rag-Caprices (1922)

Arnold SCHOENBERG: Klavierstuck, Op. 33a (1928)
George GERSHWIN: Melody No. 17 (1925-26)
Leonard BERNSTEIN: Cool (1957)

Igor STRAVINSKY: Tango (1940)
Michael SAHL: Tango from Exiles Café (1984)
Charles IVES: In The Inn (1909)
Conlon NANCARROW: Sonatina (ca. 1941)

Aaron Jay KERNIS: Speed Limit Rag (2001)
Fred HERSCH: Little Midnight Nocturne (2001)
Bruce STARK: Fugue (2003)

Ricardo LORENZ: Bachango (1984)
Daniel Bernard ROUMAIN: Jam ! (1994)
Frederic RZEWSKI: Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues (1979)

SPEAK! ~ Celebrating the Speaking/Singing Pianist
February 8th, 2010
Celebrating the release of his newest recording SPEAK! on E1 Entertainment (formerly KOCH International Classics) , Anthony de Mare, whose pioneering work in concert theater fueled the explosive growth of compositions for the speaking pianist, offers an exciting and authoritative review of the genre he helped create on this first recording devoted exclusively to works of this nature. De Mare has commissioned, premiered and even collaborated on the definitive works in this multidisciplinary category that have thrilled and inspired composers, performers and audiences around the world. In this program, he draws from the broad range of possibilities that this genre has brought forth culturally. Compelling the performer to unite piano, body and voice into one instrument, these works explore myriad variations of language — reciting, vocalizing and ritualistic chanting — while showcasing de Mare’s renowned virtuosity at the keyboard.
Dramatic, poignant and humorous, this program features texts from some of our most revered authors – Oscar Wilde, Allen Ginsburg, and James Joyce, as well as original librettos by playwrights and the composers themselves. The concert program includes works by American composers Laurie Anderson, Frederic Rzewski, Jerome Kitzke, Derek Bermel, John Cage, Meredith Monk, James Mobberley and Rodney Sharman.

PROGRAM:
Meredith MONK: Gotham Lullaby (1973)
urban march (shadow) (2001)
Rodney SHARMAN: The Garden (2001)
(text by Peter Eliot Weiss)
James MOBBERLEY: Missing Peace (2007)
John CAGE: Waiting (1952)
The Wonderful Widow of Eighteen Springs (1942)
Nowth Upon Nacht (1984)
(text by James Joyce)
Derek BERMEL: Fetch (2004)
(text by Will Eno)
Laurie ANDERSON: Statue of Liberty (2001)
(transcription by David McIntire & Anthony de Mare)
Jerome KITZKE: Sunflower Sutra (1999)
(text by Allen Ginsberg; additional text by Jerome Kitzke)
(OR)
Frederic RZEWSKI: De Profundis (1992)
(text by Oscar Wilde)