Jan Bach

Jan Bach has completed five songs for mezzo-soprano and piano, based on poems sent to him as Christmas greetings over the past thirty years, and by a childhood friend, Penny Bosselmann (née Walker) of Minneapolis, MN. Bach and his wife Dalia attended tubist Jay Hunsberger’s July 24 performance of Quintet for Tuba and Strings at the Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary, during the International Tuba and Euphonium Convention. Their trip included several days in Prague and dinner with Czech composer Jindra Neçasova. Bach’s Concerto for Horn and Orchestra, Gala Fanfare, and Helix (for alto saxophone and wind/percussion octet) were recorded in spring 2004 for a commercial CD, which will also include his 1964 Four Two-Bit Contraptions for flute and horn, his French Suite for solo horn, and possibly his Lazy Blues for five bassoons. This will be the first CD devoted entirely to Bach’s music. He was honored by his community with induction into the “Fox Valley Arts Hall of Fame” on April 22, in Aurora, IL; he joins such other honored artists and musicians as violinist Maude Powell, actor William S. Hart, watercolor artist Ruth Vansickle Ford, opera singer Eric Halfvarson, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra bassoonist Grover Schiltz.

Premieres

A Choral Fanfare (after Joseph Addison), was commissioned and performed by the Gloria Musicae Choral Ensemble, conducted by Elwood Smith, for their 25th anniversary, on October 26 and December 9, 2003, and February 15, 2004, Holley Hall, Sarasota, FL.

Performances

The Happy Prince, for narrator, violin soloist, and chamber orchestra, under the direction of Stephen Squires, was performed April 13, 2004, at Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL, and April 14 at Governors State University, University Park, IL. Concerto for Horn and Orchestra was presented May 30 by Jonathan Boen and Symphony II, under the direction of Larry Rachleff, in Evanston, IL. Tubist Jay Hunsberger performed Quintet for Tuba and Strings on July 21 at the International Tuba-Euphonium Convention, Budapest, Hungary.

Publications

Eight Duetudes, flute and bassoon; Music for a Low-Budget Epic, piccolo and bassoon; Concertino for Bassoon and String Orchestra; all by Trevco Music. Concerto for Tuba and Chamber Orchestra, piano version; Tuba-Euphonium Press.

Recordings

“My Very First Solo” CD; includes My Very First Solo, alto saxophonist William Street and pianist Roger Admiral; Arktos Recordings Ltd.

Further Information

• 2002-2003 American Composers Update
• 2001-2002 American Composers Update
• 1999-2000 American Composers Update
• 1998-1999 American Composers Update
• 1996-1997 American Composers Update
• SAI's Composers Bureau Online
• SAI's Music for Young People section