Annual American Composers Update

William Kraft

William Kraft gave a speech in Mexico City, Mexico at the presentation of the second edition of the Directory of Mexican Composers, compiled by Eduardo Soto Millan. In 1998, he received a commission from Carolyn Hove for Encounters XI, for English horn and percussion, to be premiered with Raynor Carroll. He had a residency at Indiana University, Jan. 17-20, 1998. Recordings of Concerto for Four Percussion Soloists and Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Quintessence Revisited, Music for String Quartet and Percussion, and In Memoriam Igor Stravinsky are in preparation.

Performances

On Apr. 24 and 26, 1998, Ron Holdman and the Houston (TX) Symphony, conducted by Stein, performed Kraft's Timpani Concerto. Lt. Col. Timothy Foley led the U.S. Marine Band in Concerto for Four Percussion Soloists and Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Apr. 26, 1998. The Sept Ensemble, directed by Monika Körner, gave a performance of Settings from Pierrot Lunaire, Sept. 17, 1997 in Vienna, Austria. At an Oberlin (OH) Orchestra program, conducted by Paul Polivnick, Vintage Renaissance was heard, Sept. 25, 1998. The Cleveland (OH) Chamber Symphony, Ed London, conductor, is scheduled to present Double Play, Mar. 8, 1999.

Recordings

Encounters III; ACA Digital CM20042. Dialogues and Entertainments; Koch International KCD11083.