Illinois Wesleyan University School of Music
illinois Wesleyan University presents
Symposium of Contemporary Music 1995: Music and Literature David Diamond Guest Composer
Sponsors: School of' Music Student Senate Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Sigma Alpha Iota Delta Omicron
March 8-9, 1995 Westbrook Auditorium
David Diamond. one of the most important American composers of this century. was praised b y the late Leonard Bernstein as expressing -the most lasting a esthetic values" in his music. Diamond's compositions draw on ttaditional principles of balance. form and countelpoint, expressing these in a deeply personal and thoroughly contemporary musical language. Writing in The New Grove Dictionory of American Music. composer Francis 'Thome writes that "Diamond's meticulous craftsmanship and his sensibility have assured his position as a 2Oth-century classicisL" David Leo Diamond was born in Rochester. New York on July 9. 1915. His formal musical ttaining began at age 12 at the Cleveland Instiwte of Music. and continued in Rochester at the Easbnan School of Music. in New York City at the New Music School and Dalcroze Institute. and in Paris in the classes of Nadia Boulanger. the legendary mentor to a generation of American composers. Diamond's contact with the celebrated American poet E. E. Cummings began in 1935. when he was commissioned by a private patton to compose the music to TO M. a ballet scenario written by Cummings. Other eminent figures of the time with whom he was associated include Maurice Ravel. Willem de Kooning. and Andre Gide. After living alternately in New York and Paris for a number of years. Diamond moved in 195 I to Italy. where he served for a year as Fulbright professor at the University of Rome and then moved to Florence. In 1965 be returned pe..rmanently to the United States. and he presently resides in Rocbestet. his native city. Among his numerous awards. Diamond is the recipi ent of three Guggenheim Fellowships. the Rome Prize. a National Institute of Ans and Letters Grant, and commissions from the Fromm. Kousscvitsky and Rockefeller foundations. C urrently a professor at the JuiUiard School in New York City. he has also taught in Salzburg. Austria, at the Harvard Seminar in American Studies. at SUNY Buffalo. the University of Colorado. and the Manhattan School of Music. His prolific output includes nine symphonies and many other orchestral pieces. over 80 songs, ten string quartets, six mm scores. and numerous works f(X' chorus, piano, chamber ensembles. and other media.
As a closing accolade to Mr. Diamond. we can do no beUcr than to quote his own words: "A composer's greatness is gauged by how he enlarges and extends spiritual communication between himself and humanity ..." By that measure. as we will hear during this two-day celebration of his music. he has deservedly won a lasting place in the history of musical BtL
Wednesday, March 8, 1995 Westbrook Auditorium 7:30 P.M. -
E. E. Cummings: An Appreciation Remarks by Mr. Diamond and Dr. James McGowan, Professor of English ďż˝
Music of David Diamond
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I Shall Imagine Life
Tevia Spence, soprano Jennifer Hund, piano Love ls More James Powell, tenor Carol Churukian, piano Four Uncles Matthew Ellenwood, baritone Jennifer Hund, piano Christmas Tree Emily Benson, soprano Gerald Lee, piano Three Madrigals on Poems of James Joyce 1. He who hath glory lost 2. Gende lady 3. Bid aideu illinois Wesleyan University Chamber Singers David Non, Director Hearts Music Dlinois Wesleyan University Wind Ensemble Daniel Hege, Director
Thursday, March 9, 1995 Westbrook Auditorium 7:30 P.M. •
Roundtable Discussion
Music and Literature Participants: Mr. Diamond Prof. Robert Bray (English) Prof. Michael Cooper (Music) Prof. Nancy Loitz (Theatre Arts) Prof. Julie Prandi (Foreign Language) Moderator: Prof. David Vayo (Music)
'" Music of David Diamond '" Concerto for Two Solo Pianos Allegro Adagio Maestoso-Allegro vivace Susan Brandon and R. Dwight Drexler, pianos Epitaph Somewhere On Death Sister Jane Let Nothing Disturb Thee Linda Farquharson, mezzo-soprano . David Vayo, piano Rounds Allegro, molto vivace Adagio Allegro vigoroso illinois Wesleyan University Camerata Vadim Mazo, Director
Ensemble Personnel Wind Ensemble Piccolo: Allison Isbrandt
Tenor Saxophone: Lee Poehlman
Flute: Margie Sanford· Allison Isbrandt Judy Eckerle Eriko Arikawa
Baritone Saxophone: Chris Denman
Oboe: Lori Rowe· Sarah Testa Lisa Beninato
English Horn: Lisa Beninato EbOarinet: Beth Cazel
Hom: Arnie O'Brien· AndyIGng Cara Pribble Leila Bauer Trumpet: Brian Seitz· Jonathan Lauff Brian Scott Christopher J. Joyce Matthew C. Glenn Joseph Balestreri
BbOarinet: Pam Drexler* April Alice Lord David Virkus Jennifer Heskett Gina Pellegrino Cathy Webb
Trombone: Brian Joosten· Dima Gharaibeh Adam Kramer
Bass Clarinet: Gina Magnetta
Euphonium: Kevin Geraldi
Bassoon: Benjamin Davis· Tom Tropp
Tuba: Tlffi Culbenson
Alto Saxophone: Jason Landes· Janel Pietrandoni
Bass Trombone: Bob Rokos
Percussion: . Timothy Eytalis Matt Harder Philip Johnson Kory Knipp Doug Meis
Chamber Singers Soprano
Tenor
Yvette Cataneo Julie Guzowski Lyndee White Heather Williams
Derek Dahlke Eric Doolittle James Powell Mike Runkle
Alto
Bass
Sarah Hayes Kelly McCann Erica Potuto Christine Zuttenneister
Matthew Ellenwood Seth Keaton Elliott Nott Thomas Tropp
Camerata Violin I Edith Yoldey* Erica Joncich S aman thaSheetz MissyStecher Violin II Gina Lauer ErikaSiaba Teresa Pingitore Peter Berk
Viola Fred Meyer Margaret Hamby Jaime Rukstales Susan Neff
Cello Christopher Frey Erik Kramer SarahStorrs
Double Bass Cindy Ramos
*
Concertmaster
Symposium of Contemporary Music Guest Composers and Performers, 1954-1995 1954: Nonnand Lockwood, Robert Palmer 1955: Wallingford Riegger, Peter Mennin 1956: Hunter Johnson, Ulysses Kay 1957: Ernst Krenek, William Bergsma 1958: Aaron Copland 1959: Paul Pisk, George Rochberg 1960: Roy Harris 1962: Robert Erickson, George Rochberg, Glenn Glasow 1963: Robert Wykes, Alabama String Quartet 1964: Robert Wykes, E. J. Ulrich, Salvatore MartiJ:ano, Herbert BrUn, Ben Johnston
1966: Louis CoYner, Edwin Harkins, Philip Winsor, Edwin London
1967: Frederick Tillis, George Crumb 1969: The Loop Group, DePaul University 1970: Halim EI-Dabh, Olly Wilson 1971: Edward J. Miller 1972: Stravinsky Memorial Concert 1973: Courtney Cox, Phil Wilson 1975: David Ward-Steinman 1976: Donald Erb 1977: Lou Harrison, Ezra Sims 1978: M. William Karlins 1981: Walter S. Hartley 1982: David Ward-Steinman 1983: George Crumb 1984: Robert Bankert, Abram M. Plum, R. Bedford Watkins 1986: Jean Eichelberger Ivey 1988: John Beall 1989: Hale Smith . 1990: Karel Husa 1991: Alice Parker 1993: Alexander Aslamazov 1993: Leslie Bassett, John Crawford (Society of Composers, Inc. Region 5 Conference) 1995: David Diamond