Judith Lang Zaimont****

(Ms. Zaimont’s report is amplified this year, as it covers the last two reporting periods, 2003-2005). Judith Lang Zaimont received the Aaron Copland Award in 2003, which included performances of her works, commissions, and a composing residency at Copland House from April-May 2004. She also had several articles published about her work in 2003-2004: the April 2003 issue of Clavier carried a feature interview with the composer; the October issue of Chamber Music carried a feature article profile; additionally the January/February 2004 issue of Chamber Music ran a composer profile by Kyle Gann in which Zaimont’s music is described as “subtle, vigorous . . . elegantly professional [and] deeply felt;” the summer 2004 issue of Piano Today published an article about her suite In My Lunchbox, a 2003 commission from the California Music Teachers Association (published by Vivace Press), and reprinted one of the five movements. In spring 2002 she was elected a National Board Member in Composition for The College Music Society, with a term of office spanning 2003-2005. She was the subject of an hour-long program on piano works in January 2004, prepared and hosted by Randy Anderson, Texas Public Radio. Other commissions include the San Antonio International Piano Competition; and Symphony for Wind Orchestra in Three Scenes commissioned by Craig Kirchhoff and the University of Minnesota Wind Ensemble to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the School of Music. Symphony No.1 is cited for distinguished orchestral handling in the third edition of Samuel Adler’s Orchestration text; additionally, the opening two pages of Jazz Waltz (Suite Impressions) is a scoring assignment in the companion workbook. Zaimont was the principal composer on a National Public Radio program Instrumental Women: Comparing Notes, which featured Elegy for strings, Street Scene (from Hidden Heritage: A Dance Symphony), The May-fly, and December Sleighride (from Calendar Collection).

Premieres

Tattoo, Scene Three of Symphony for Wind Orchestra in Three Scenes, was the featured work at the opening concert of the national conference of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) on March 26, 2003, performed by the University of Minnesota Wind Ensemble, conducted by Craig Kirchhoff. The Ages of Love, a cycle of five songs for baritone and piano, Virgie Rainey: Two Narratives, and Sonata for Piano Solo were introduced in an April 21 performance at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. On May 7, the University of Minnesota Wind Ensemble, led by Craig Kirchhoff, presented Growler, Scene One of Symphony for Wind Orchestra in Three Scenes. In My Lunchbox, a five-movement suite for developing pianists, was performed several times during the annual convention of the California Music Teachers Association, July 4-7, in Santa Barbara. Parallel Play, three movements for saxophone quartet, was introduced July 9 by the World Saxophone Congress, in Minneapolis, MN. The piano work Wizards: Three Magic Masters, chosen as the required competition piece for the 2003 San Antonio (TX) International Piano Competition, was presented several times between October 27 and November 1. Astral ... a mirror on the astral plane ... was premiered in Minneapolis on April 5, 2004, by clarinetist John Anderson; in New York and Israel in summer 2004; and is scheduled to be performed again by Allen Kay at the Julliard School in winter 2005. From the Folk: Song, Dance, two movements for wind quartet commissioned by the Aaron Copland Foundation, were premiered on May 25, at the Hoff-Barthelson School, NY. A consortium-commissioned work, titled Stillness: Poem for Orchestra, will receive regional premieres throughout January, March, and April of 2005; the short score was completed at Copland House, the residency project for an Aaron Copland Award.

Publication

From the Great Land, seven songs for mezzo-soprano, clarinet, piano, Eskimo drum; Wind Quintet No.2: Homeland; From the Folk: Song, Dance, for flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon; Astral ... a mirror life on the astral plane ..., clarinet solo; all by Jeanné, Inc. Bubble-Up Rag, Concertpiece for flute and piano; Wizards: Three Magic Masters, piano; both by Vivace Press. Symphony for Wind Orchestra in Three Scenes; Sounds Alive!

Recordings

“Callisto – Darkness into Bright;” anthology of solo piano music; Sonata, Jupiter’s Moons (suite in six movements), Nocturne: La Fin de Siècle, and ‘Hesitation’ Rag’, all performed by Joanne Polk; Albany/Troy 617. Milken Archive of American Jewish Music, Judith Zaimont: Sacred Service for the Sabbath Evening, baritone James Maddelena, Ernst Senfft Chor, Berlin Rundfunk Symphonie conducted by Gerard Schwarz; Parable: A Tale of Abram and Isaac, dramatic cantata, tenor John Aler, baritone Randall Scarlata, soprano Frances Lucy, Laudebus Chamber Choir (London), the ensemble from London Philharmonic; A Woman of Valor, mezzo-soprano and string quartet, recorded at Eastman School of Music in 1996, conducted by Samuel Adler; Naxos. Meditations at the Time of the New Year, 6-part chorus, choral soli, and two percussion; Choral Society of Southern California conducted by Nick Strimple.

****Sigma Alpha Iota Honorary Member

Further Information

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