Elliott Schwartz

Elliott Schwartz has received a commission from the World Wide Concurrent Premiere Consortium to compose two concertos for wind ensemble, one featuring solo flute and the other solo horn. The pieces are designed so that they may be performed separately or as a single two-movement work. Premieres are scheduled for 2006, Schwartz’s 70th birthday year, by a number of wind ensembles, including the University of Miami, University of Minnesota, SUNY Fredonia, University of New Mexico, and Sam Houston State University. During 2006, a number of institutions have invited Schwartz to appear as guest composer at 70th birthday concerts of his music, including Butler University, Concordia College, the Library of Congress, and the Royal Academy of Music, London, UK. You are invited to visit the composer’s website at www.schwartzmusic.com.

Premieres

Downtown Crossing for trombone, bass trombone, and concert band was introduced March 12, 2005, by the Harvard Wind Ensemble, conducted by Tom Everett, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Four Leaf Clover for piano and percussion was presented July 22 at the Bar Harbor (ME) Music Festival.

Performances

Chamber Concerto IV for saxophone and 10 players was heard in a January 22, 2005, performance by the Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP), under the direction of Gil Rose, Jordan Hall, Boston, MA. Two Watterson Poems for SATB and percussion (played by the chorus) was performed March 16-20 by the Bowdoin College Chamber Choir, conducted by Robert Greenlee, on the choir’s tour of California which took it to San Francisco, Santa Barbara, and Stanford University. Phoenix for bassoon and piano was performed on June 10 at the American Composers Alliance Festival, New York, NY. Tapestry for piano, violin, and cello was heard August 18 at the Portland (ME) Chamber Music Festival. Cycles Squared for organ and improvisational ensemble was presented December 4 in Bowdoin College Chapel, Brunswick, ME.

Further Information

• 2003-2004 American Composers Update
• 2002-2003 American Composers Update
• 2001-2002 American Composers Update
• 2000-2001 American Composers Update
• 1999-2000 American Composers Update
• SAI's Composers Bureau Online
• SAI's Music for Young People section