Herb Bielawa

On February 6, 2005, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley (CA) (UUCB) sponsored a concert of Herb Bielawa works in celebration of his 75th year. This event, supported by a “Subito” Grant from the American Composers Forum, included three premieres: Concerto for Piano and Ensemble with pianist Jerome Kuderna (performance conducted by the composer); Feedback for Two Pipe Organs with organists John Hirten and Sandra Soderlund; and Clowning Around for French Horn and MIDI Horn Samples, with Jan Pusina, hornist. Sounds New, an ensemble directed by Bielawa, continues yearly concerts of American classic music. Visit www.SoundsNewUS.org for information about the organization.

Premieres

Brooke Aird, Richard Mathias, and the composer premiered Mixed Motion for violin, clarinet and piano on February 22, 2004, in a Sounds New concert at UUCB. Max Lifchitz conducted SANAS for chorus and chamber orchestra, on February 13, 2005, at Christ & Stephen’s Church. Deborah Schmidt and Cathy Allen, presented the premier of Play for Two, for flute and cello, at a March 13 Sounds New concert at UUCB. Tsunami for Chamber Ensemble and Soprano premiered on March 12, 2006, with Anna Carol Dudley performing in a Sounds New concert at UUCB. Two Sojourner Songs (on texts by John Gracen Brown) were heard on April 2 in a San Francisco Choral Artists concert at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Oakland, CA.

Performances

Stone Settings (on texts by Arlene Stone) for soprano and piano, were heard in an October 5, 2005 recital by Dudley and the composer at the University of California-Berkeley Noon Concert Series. Snore, a self-automated analog patch, was broadcast on “Foldover,” a concert of computer music at Oberlin (OH) on December 12. The Oriole, for soprano and piano, aired on Brave New World 90.5 FM, WVOL Louisville on March 19, 2006, as performed by Susan Narucki and Christopher Oldfather.

Recordings

Voices, Albany Records, Troy 653.

Further Information

• SAI's Composers Bureau Online
• SAI's Music for Young People section