William Mayer

North River Music sponsored an all-Mayer evening of music on November 17, 2005, at the Greenwich House Music School, which included works for piano, chamber music, and voice and chamber ensemble. Conductors Victoria Bond and Mimi Stern-Wolfe participated in the event. Festive Alleluia and Kyrie were recently heard in a performance led by Johannes Somary, former music director of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, NY. Mayer’s 80th birthday was celebrated by a variety of musical groups, including the Bronx Arts Ensemble, the Composers Concordance, Downtown Music Productions, the Quintet of the Americas, the Davidson Singers, the Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble, and a number of radio stations, including WQXR and WYNC. Vermont Public Radio also broadcast an all-Mayer hour as part of the celebration.

Premieres

Octagon, in a version for two pianos, was given its premiere August 25, 2004, by pianists Judith Olson and Steven Mayer, New York, NY. Twists for oboe and viola was introduced November 17, 2005, on the North River Music Series in New York, NY.

Performances

Choral excerpts from the opera A Death in the Family were presented by the Gregg Smith Singers on March 13, 2004, St. Peter’s Church, New York, NY. The Negro Speaks of Rivers, a choral setting of a text by Langston Hughes, was presented October 14 in a New York City performance featuring vocalist Harold Rosenbaum. The North/South Consonance, under the direction of Max Lifchitz, performed Dream’s End for flute, oboe, horn, violin, cello, and piano on February 13, 2005. Unlikely Neighbors for flute, oboe, clarinet, trombone, and piano was performed October 16 by the Bronx Arts Ensemble. Summer Glints for flute, oboe, string quartet, countertenor and harpsichord was performed by the Queens Chamber Band, New York, NY.

Publications

Subway in the Sunlight, suite for piano; Zoom-bah, soprano, flute, viola, and harp; Yankee Doodle Fanfare; all by Theodore Presser.

Recordings

Messages, for flute, string trio, and percussion; North/South Consonance conducted by Max Lifchitz. Summer Glints, recorded by Queens Chamber Band. Subway in the Sunlight, pianist Suhan Arzuni; New World.

Further Information

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