Happy Birthday Joan Tower
6th September 2018
T. Reed, Bard College Conservatory of Music
Composer, performer, educator, and conductor for more than half-a-century, Joan Tower is one of the most recognized and performed American musicians today. Her composer-residencies with orchestras, festivals, and schools include a decade with the Orchestra of St. Luke's, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (Composer of the Year for their 2010-2011 season), as well as the St. Louis Symphony, the Deer Valley Music Festival, the Yale/Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, and the Albany Symphony's Mentor Composer partner.
This week she celebrates her 80th birthday. Premieres, portrait concerts, and residencies continue into 2019.
This selection of fall/winter performances provide a snapshot of her orchestral, chamber, solo, and vocal music.
September 9, 2018 DiMenna Center, New York, NY
September 16, 2018 Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
Portrait Concerts
with Laurie Smukler, violin; Raman Ramakrishnan, cello; Blair McMillen, piano; Anthony McGill, clarinet; Sō Percussion; Dawn Upshaw, soprano; Kayo Iwama, piano; Da Capo Chamber Players; and Benjamin Hochman, piano
Looking Back premiere
Small (for percussion ensemble) premiere
Thank You premiere
And…They're Off
Big Sky
Descending
Steps
Up High
Wings
September 12, 2018
Helsinki Philharmonic: Susanna Mälkki, conductor
Made in America country premiere
Helsinki, Finland
September 21, 2018
Minnesota Orchestra: Osmo Vänskä, conductor
Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman
Minneapolis, MN
September 30, 2018
One of 50 Concurrent Premieres by 50 Saxophonists
New England Conservatory: Ken Radnofsky, saxophone
Second Flight premiere
Boston, MA
October 13, 14, 2018
Stamford Symphony: Edward Cumming, conductor
Tambor
Stamford, CT
October 27, 2018
Bard College Conservatory Orchestra: Leon Botstein, conductor
Tambor
Annandale-on-Hudson, NY
November 2, 2018
American Composers Orchestra: George Manahan, conductor
Chamber Dance
Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
November 3, 2018
Oberlin Chamber Orchestra: Kirsten Docter, viola; Raphael Jiménez, conductor
Purple Rhapsody
Oberlin, OH
November 10, 11, 2018
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra: Sarah Ioannides, conductor
Made in America
Little Rock, AR
November 11, 2018
Joan Tower and Friends
National Sawdust: Jasper Quartet
Wild Summer New York premiere
Brooklyn, NY
November 16, 17, 2018
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra: JoAnn Falletta, conductor
For the Uncommon Woman
Tambor
Buffalo, NY
December 15, 2018
Berklee Contemporary Symphony Orchestra: Julius Williams, conductor
Sixth Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman
Boston, MA
January 4, 5, 2019
Utah Symphony: Xian Zhang, conductor
Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman
Salt Lake City, UT
February 8, 2019
Detroit Symphony Orchestra: Leonard Slatkin, conductor
Sequoia
Detroit, MI
View upcoming performances of Joan Tower's music.
