Jack Beeson

Jack Beeson writes: “For two and one-half years I have been writing prose, not notes, so there are no new works or premieres to be reported. The large volume is now complete. It is titled Making Operas: Writings About Music, Opera, and Myself and consists of reprints of articles by me on these first two subjects, some letters to and from me (including correspondence with William Saroyan and Sheldon Harnick), and chiefly the genesis of, sometimes collaboration with librettists, and the composition of my ten operas – with some comment on those not written. Though not a usual memoir, it follows some events from an untypical youth in MIDDLETOWN, USA (Muncie, Indiana) through a half century at Columbia University, to my 85th birthday, with an account of my study with Bartok, my service on behalf of other composers here, life in Rome and the Ticino, and a number of funny, mostly ironic, stories.”

Recordings

A CD of choral music recorded by the Gregg Smith Singers is in preparation, to be released by Albany Records.

Further Information

• 2004-2005 American Composers Update
• 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
• 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