David Liptak

Composer David Liptak recently received several prestigious commissions. A work titled Three Dances for Orchestra was commissioned for the 50th anniversary of the University of Rochester Symphony Orchestra, comprised of musicians from the University and greater Rochester community, with funds from the Hanson Institute for American Music. Eastman School of Music commissioned Liptak to write a Fanfare for Trumpets for the dedication of Messinger Hall; and a work, titled Away, for choir and instruments was commissioned for the 175th anniversary of the Rochester Institute of Technology with funds from The Commission Project. For more information, visit the composer’s website at www.dliptak.com.

Premieres

Ice Flowers for Japanese koto and violin was premiered by Ryuko Mizutani and Pia Liptak on February 7, 2005, at the Eastman World Music Series. Three Dances for Orchestra was introduced October 22 by the University of Rochester Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of David Harman. Fanfare for Trumpets was first heard at the dedication of Messinger Hall on October 22, at the Eastman School of Music. Away, a commissioned work for SATB chorus, flute, clarinet, percussion, and string quartet, received its premiere performance November 6, from an ensemble conducted by Ed Schell. On November 11, the Eastman Wind Ensemble, led by Mark Scatterday, performed the octet It Began With a Dream.

Performances

Chamber Concerto No. 1 was heard May 27, 2005, in a performance by clarinetist Julio Fresneda with the OSA Cuarteto de Percusion, Valencia, Spain. Ancient Songs was presented at the Aspen (CO) Music Festival on July 2 by baritone W. Stephen Smith and the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, conducted by Sydney Hodkinson; and at the University of Houston (TX) on November 21 by bass-baritone Timothy Jones and the Aura Contemporary Music Ensemble, led by Rob Smith. Under the Resurrection Palm was heard in a February 9, 2006, performance by baritone Thomas Meglioranza and violinist Jessica Lee on the “Thalia Concert Series,” Symphony Space, New York (NY). A Bridge Across Spaces will be presented by cellist Florent Renard-Payen on February 25, 2006, at Hamilton College.

Publications

Music for Children’s Chorus, 19 settings for 1-4 voices with and without accompaniments; Away, SATB, flute, clarinet, percussion, and string quartet; Music for Young Players, 19 works for violin/piano, 2 violins, 2 violins/piano; all by MMB Music.

Recordings

Music of David Liptak: “Broken Cries,” Tarab Cello Ensemble; Ancient Songs, baritone William Sharp, Dinosaur Annex New Music Ensemble, conducted by Scott Wheeler; Forlane, guitarist David Starobin; Serenade, alto saxophonist Chien-Kwan Lin,  Eastman Philharmonia Strings conducted by Brad Lubman; Bridge 9167. New Music With Guitar, Volume Six: “Forlane,” Starobin; Bridge 9144. American Masters for the 21st Century - Society for New Music: Rhapsodies, for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano; Innova 616.

Further Information

• 2002-2003 American Composers Update
• 2001-2002 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