William Mayer

The works of William Mayer, along with interviews with the composer, were recently featured in two three-hour broadcasts over Vermont Public Radio. Mayer has been commissioned by oboist Bert Lucarelli to write a work for three oboes.

Premieres

Summer Glints for flute, oboe, string quartet, and harpsichord, was commissioned and premiered by the Queens Chamber Band, Merkin Concert Hall, New York, NY.

Performances

Good King Wenceslas, based on a fantasy by A. A. Milne, was performed December 15, 2002, by the Bronx Arts Ensemble, Bronx Botanical Gardens, NY, with radio personality Robert Sherman and the composer narrating. Excerpts from the opera A Death in the Family were heard in a concert by the Gregg Smith Singers, April 9, 2003, New York, NY. Festive Alleluia, derived from the opera One Christmas Long Ago, was presented June 8 by the Cathedral of St. Patrick Choir, New York, NY, with Johannes Somary conducting the choir. Pianists Steven Mayer and Lora Tchekoratovahe performed the two piano version of Octagon July 22 at the International Piano Festival, Mannes College, New York, NY.

Publications

Yankee Doodle Fanfare, brass quintet version; Nichols Music (Ensemble Publications).

Recordings

Subway in the Sunlight (piano suite) recorded by Sahan Arzruni on New World Records, September 2002. Two chamber works, Summer Glints and Messages, and a choral work, The Negro Speaks of Rivers, to be recorded respectively by The Queens Chamber Band, N/S Consonance and NY Virtuoso Singers.

Further Information

• 1999-2000 American Composers Update
• 1996-1997 American Composers Update
• SAI's Composers Bureau Online
• SAI's Music for Young People section