#ClassicsaDay #NAFTAclassics Week 4

The Classics a Day team once again made NAFTA Classics the theme for July. Two of the three countries in North America have significant holidays in the month -- Canada Day (July 1), and Independence Day (July 4).

As always with this theme, I simply alternated between Canadian, American, and Mexican composers. And the process discovered a lot of great classical music north and south of the border. 

Here are my #ClassicsaDay posts for the fourth and final week of #NAFTAclassics.

07/26/21 Edward Burlingame Hill (US 1872-1960) Concertino No. 2 for Piano and Orchestra

Hill is best remembered for his pupils -- Leonard Bernstein, Elliot Carter, Walter Piston, Roger Sessions, and Virgil Thompson. But he was also a composer who brought American influences into his music.

07/27/21 Clarence Lucas (Canada 1866–1947) - Holiday Sketches

Lucas had a rich and varied career; composer, teacher, music proofreader, music magazine editor, transcriber, conductor, music director, and lyricist.

07/28/21 Macedonio Alcalá (Mexico 1831–1869) Dio nunca muere

Alcalá was asked by residents of Tlacolula to write a waltz in honor of the Virgin Mary, their town's patron. It was an instant hit and is now the unofficial anthem of Oaxaca.

07/29/21 Florence Price (US 1887-1953) Violin Concerto No. 2

Price completed her second violin concerto in 1952, a year before her death. It was discovered in 2009 when renovations were done to her former home.

07/29/21 Healey Willan  (Canada 1880-1958) Symphony No. 1 in D minor

Willan is best known for his choral compositions. Of his over 800 works, only two were symphonies. This is his first written in 1936.

#ClassicsaDay #NAFTAclassics Week 3

The Classics a Day team once again made NAFTA Classics the theme for July. Two of the three countries in North America have significant holidays in the month -- Canada Day (July 1), and Independence Day (July 4).

As always with this theme, I simply alternated between Canadian, American, and Mexican composers. And the process discovered a lot of great classical music north and south of the border. 

Here are my #ClassicsaDay posts for the third week of #NAFTAclassics.

07/19/21 Ernest Gagnon (Canada 1834-1915) - Ave maria stella

Gagnon is remembered primiarly for his collection of French Canadian folk music published in the 1860s. He was also a virtuoso organist and an accompished composer.

07/20/21 Francisco López Capillas (c. 1615 – 1673) - Magnificat a 8

Capillas was a native-born Mexican composer, and spent his life working in the Mexicao City Cathedral. He's credited with composing the most Mexican masses of the Baroque era.

07/21/21 Arthur Foote - (US 1853-1937) A Night Piece for Flute and String Quartet

Foote was a member of the Boston Six, and a founder of the American Guild of Organists. The majority of his catalog.

07/22/21 Charles A.E. Harriss (Canada 1862–1929) - The Alma Patrol

Harriss emigrated from the UK, and gained prominance as an organist. He founded the McGill Conservatorium of Music, as well as several Canadian music festivals.

07/23/21 Aniceto Ortega (1825–1875) - Marcha Zaragoza

This talented physician and composer composed the Marcha Zaragoza in honor of the famous Mexican general and patriot in 1862. It has since become Mexico's second national anthem.

#ClassicsaDay #NAFTAclassics 2021 Week 2

The Classics a Day team once again made NAFTA Classics the theme for July. Two of the three countries in North America have significant holidays in the month -- Canada Day (July 1), and Independence Day (July 4).

As always with this theme, I simply alternated between Canadian, American, and Mexican composers. And the process discovered a lot of great classical music north and south of the border. 

Here are my #ClassicsaDay posts for the second week of #NAFTAclassics.

07/12/21 Francisco López Capillas (Mexico c. 1615 – 1673) - Magnificat

Capillas was born in Mexico City. He was the chapelmaster of its cathedral and is credited with writing the most masses during the Baroque era in Mexico.

07/13/21 Horatio Parker (US 1863-1919) Suite for Piano Trio in A

In his day Parker was a respected composer and organist. His opera "Mona" was designated the best composition of 1911 and performed at the Met. Parker wrote the suite in his late twenties, although not published until a decade later.

07/14/21 Stephen Codman (Canada c. 1796–1852) The Fairy Song

Codman emigrated from England in 1816 to be the organist t Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in Quebec City, a post he held for life. The Fairy Song is one of the earliest published Canadian music.

07/15/21 Cenobio Paniagua (Mexico, 1821–1882) - String Quartet No. 1

Paniagua founded a music academy in Mexico City. He composed the first Mexican opera seria, as well as over 70 masses.

07/16/21 Daniel Gregory Mason (1873-1953) Symphony No. 3 "Lincoln" Op. 35

Mason studied with members of the Boston Six, as well as Vincent D'Indy. He worked to increase the stature of American music, often incorporating American folk music or themes into his work.

#ClassicsaDay #NAFTAclassics 2021 Week 1

The Classics a Day team once again made NAFTA Classics the theme for July. Two of the three countries in North America have significant holidays in the month -- Canada Day (July 1), and Independence Day (July 4).

As always with this theme, I simply alternated between Canadian, American, and Mexican composers. And the process discovered a lot of great classical music north and south of the border. 

Here are my #ClassicsaDay posts for the first ten days of #NAFTAclassics.

7/1/21 Murray Adaskin (Canada) Capriccio for Piano and Orchestra

Adaskin was a violinist, composer, and director of the University of Saskatchewan's Music Department.

7/2/21 Julian Carillo (Mexico) Symphony No. 1

Carrillo was famous for his theory of microtonal music, "Sonido 13." His earlier works -- such as this 1901 symphony -- use more traditional harmonies.

7/5/21 Benjamin Carr (US) Federal Overture

Carr emigrated to America in the 1790s. He's known as the Father of Philadelphia Music for his work as a composer, conductor, and teacher.

7/6/21 Charles-Amador Martin (Canada) - Prose de la Sainte Famille

Martin was the second priest to be ordained in New France. His sacred works are the earliest attributed to a Canadian composer.

07/07/21 Juan de Lienas (Mexico) Salve Regina

De Lienas (ca. 1600-1654) is only known to us through two surviving manuscript collections. It is thought that he was a chapel master in Mexico City, and perhaps Havana.

07/08/21 William Henry Fry (US 1813-1864) Macbeth Ouverture

Fry was the first native-born American to compose for orchestra and the first to compose an opera. As a music critic (another first), he encouraged his readers to support American composers.

7/09/21 Calixa Lavallée (Canada) - Le papillon

Lavallée composed "O Canada," which was later adopted as the national anthem. Lavallée was born in Montreal but spent a good deal of his career working in the U.S.

#ClassicsaDay Revisits #NAFTAclassics Week 5

The Classics a Day team is made up of Americans and Canadians. The month of July has important national holidays for both countries. And so the theme for July is the music of North America. (Mexico doesn't have a major holiday in July, but we decided to be inclusive). 

In my posts for #ClassicsaDay I alternated between the three countries. Of course, July 1 featured a Canadian composer, and July 4 an American. Here are my posts for the fifth and final week of #NAFTAclassics.

7/29/19 Juan Trigos (Mexican) - Symphony No. 4, Nezahualcoyotl Icuicahuan

Trigos calls his style "Abstract Folklore." He abstracts basic elements of folk music and uses them as building blocks for his classical compositions.

7/30/19 Charles Ives (American) - Country Band March

In this 1903 work, Ives depicts a performance by an unskilled (and underrehearsed) amateur ensemble. It's sometimes considered a parallel to Mozart's "Musical Joke."

7/31/19 Victor Rasgado (Mexican) - Concerto for Tuba and Orchestra

Rasgado is a concert pianist and composer. His impressive body of work includes concertos, chamber works, and a prize-winning chamber opera.

#ClassicsaDay Revisits #NAFTAclassics – Week 4

The Classics a Day team is made up of Americans and Canadians. The month of July has important national holidays for both countries. And so the theme for July is the music of North America. (Mexico doesn't have a major holiday in July, but we decided to be inclusive). 

In my posts for #ClassicsaDay I alternated between the three countries. Of course, July 1 featured a Canadian composer, and July 4 an American. Here are my posts for the fourth week of #NAFTAclassics.

7/22/19 Blas Galindo (Mexican) - Sinfonia Breve

Galindo has been a writer, editor, government official, and educator -- all in the service of Mexican art music. As a composer he wrote over 150 works, almost always incorporating Mexican folk elements.

7/23/19 Andrew Ager - Toccata et Fugue

Ager mostly self-taught himself composition. Nevertheless, his music is frequently performed internationally. He has over 50 works in his catalog, including four operas.

7/24/19 Supply Belcher (American) - The Power of Musick

Called "the Handel of Maine," Belcher was a prolific author of hymn tunes in the Federalist Period. His fuguing tunes were second only to those of William Billings in popularity.

7/25/19 John Burge (Canadian) - Oscillations (for Art & Janet McDonald)

Burge wrote Oscillations in tribute to his Queen's University colleague, Dr. Arthure McDonald. McDonald won the Nobel Prize for discovering neutrino oscillations.

7/26/19 Florence Price (American) - Symphony No. 3 in E minor

Price's Third Symphony was commissioned by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). It was first premiered by the Detroit Civic Orchestra in 1940.

#ClassicsaDay Revisits #NAFTAclassics – Week 3

The Classics a Day team is made up of Americans and Canadians. The month of July has important national holidays for both countries. And so the theme for July is the music of North America. (Mexico doesn't have a major holiday in July, but we decided to be inclusive). 

In my posts for #ClassicsaDay I alternated between the three countries. Of course, July 1 featured a Canadian composer, and July 4 an American. Here are my posts for the third week of #NAFTAclassics.

7/15/19 Edward Burlingame Hill (American) - Stevensonia Suite No. 1

Though a prolific composer, Hill is best remembered as a teacher. His students included Leonard Berstein, Walter Piston, Elliot Carter, and Roger Sessions.

7/16/19 Arturo Márquez (Mexican) - Danzón No. 2

The 1994 Danzón No. 2 is one of the most popular works by a Mexican composer in the repertoire. It was premiered in Mexico City, and is based on traditional Mexican dance forms.

7/17/19 Ruth Crawford Seeger (American) - String Quartet

She's primarily remembered as Pete Seeger's mother. But in the 1930s Ruth was part of the ultra modernist movement that influenced composers such as Elliott Carter.

7/18/19 Gabriela Ortiz (Mexican) - Atlas Pumas

Ortiz brings popular elements into her music, including Afro-Cuban music, African chant, and rock.

7/19/18 Linda Catlin Smith (Canadian) - Light and Water

Though American by birth, Smith moved to Canada early in her career. She's won several awards and had many important commissions from Canadian ensembles.

#ClassicsaDay Revisits #NAFTAclassics - Week 2

The Classics a Day team is made up of Americans and Canadians. The month of July has important national holidays for both countries. And so the theme for July is the music of North America. (Mexico doesn't have a major holiday in July, but we decided to be inclusive). 

In my posts for #ClassicsaDay I alternated between the three countries. Of course, July 1 featured a Canadian composer, and July 4 an American. Here are my posts for the second week of #NAFTAclassics.

7/8/19 Kelly-Marie Murphy (Canadian) - Curiosity, Genius, and the Search for Petula Clark

Murphy's work was commissioned for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra's Glen Gould tribute. It reference's Gould's tracking a Petula Clark song from station to station as he drove across Canada.

7/9/19 Silvestre Revueltas (Mexican) - Sensemayá

Revueltas' most popular work is based on a poem by Nicolás Guillén. The subject is a ritual Afro-Caribbean chant, used during a sacrifice to the god Babalu Aye.

7/10/19 Alexina Louie (Canadian) - Changes

Louie is both a composer and pianist. "Changes" is the second of a four-part work, "Music for Piano." It presents contemporary music concepts in music playable by young students.

7/11/19 Amy Beach (American) - Variations on Balkan Themes, Op. 60

Beach premiered her Variations in one of her own recitals. The work was written to show support for the unsuccessful 1903 Ilinden Uprising against their Ottoman rulers.

7/12/19 Healey Willan (Canadian) - Piano Concerto in C minor, Op. 76

Willan was organist/choir director of Toronto's largest church from 1921 until his death in 1968. Though most of his 800 compositions were liturgical, he also wrote chamber and orchestral music, like this concerto.

#ClassicsaDay Revisits #NAFTAclassics - Week 1

The Classics a Day team is made up of Americans and Canadians. The month of July has important national holidays for both countries. And so the theme for July is the music of North America. (Mexico doesn't have a major holiday in July, but we decided to be inclusive). 

In my posts for #ClassicsaDay I alternated between the three countries. Of course, July 1 featured a Canadian composer, and July 4 an American. Here are my posts for the first week of #NAFTAclassics.

7/1/19 Jocelyn Morlock (Canadian) - Hullabaloo

Morlock's "Hullabaloo" was commissioned for the Canadian Sesquicentennial. She's the composer-in-residence for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, who premiered the work.

7/2/19 Michael Torke (American) - Unconquered: I. Summon

Torke's “Unconquered” tone poem commemorates the 1777 Battle of Saratoga. He writes, "Neither battlefield nor bloodshed is depicted… only the expression of moods conjured by these images.”

7/3/19 Manuel María Ponce (Mexican) - Sonata Clasica for Guitar

Ponce incorporated native folk music into his work, reimagining it in a classical idiom.

7/4/19 Joan Tower (American) - Made in America

Tower's 2004 work was a commission from the League of American Orchestras and premiered by 65 ensembles in 50 states.

7/5/19 Carlos Chávez (Mexican) - Concerto for piano and orchestra

The concerto was the result of a Guggenheim grant. Chavez conducted the Mexican premiere in 1843 with Claudio Arrau and, the Orquesta Sinfónica de México.

#ClassicsaDay #NAFTAclassics Week 4

We have an international mix of contributors to the #ClassicsaDay feed. July has significant holidays for two of the three countries in North America. So, at the suggestion of a Canadian contributor, July became #NAFTAclassics, marking Canada Day (July 1) and Independence Day (July 4). Mexico doesn't have a July holiday, but we decided to be inclusive rather than exclusive.

For the month, I alternated between the three countries. Here are my posts for the fourth and fifth week of #NAFTAclassics.

Rui Shi Zhuo (Canadian, 1956 - ) - Symphonic Poem The Night of Ancient Kingdom Shu

Rui Shi Zhuo was born in China and emigrated to Canada in his thirties. He's active both as a conductor and composer and has written for film as well. His music draws on the instruments and traditions of his Chinese heritage, reinterpreted through Western classical music.

Victor Rasgado (Mexican, 1959 - ) - Quetzaltepec

Rasgado is one of the most prominent Mexican composers of his generation. His music is performed extensively both in Mexico and abroad. He's best known for his operas, which tend to feature Mexican stories and fables.

Mohammed Fairouz (American, 1985 - ) - The Named Angels

Fairouz often uses his Middle Eastern heritage as a starting point for his music. His first opera was based on an Egyptian play, his current opera has a Pakistani libretto. "The Named Angels" depict the angels of Persian mythology.

Linda Catlin Smith (Canadian, 1957 - ) - thought and Desire

Smith was born in New York City and moved to Toronto in 1981. Smith's primarily inspired by painters and writers. In addition to a catalog of music for modern ensembles, Smith has also written works for early instruments.

Javier Álvarez (Mexican, 1956 - ) - Metro Chabacano

While Alvarez incorporates native musical traditions into his music, he also draws from other cultures. Alvarez sometimes uses non-traditional instruments, like the Korean kayagum and Caribbean steel pans, in his work. He also has a large catalog of electroacoustic music, and an award-winning film score for "Cronos."

Kamran Ince (American, 1960 - ) - Concerto for Orchestra, Turkish Instruments, and Voices

Turkish-American composer Kamran Ince was born in Montana and studied in Turkey with Muammer Sun. After returning to the states, he studied with Joseph Schwantner and Christopher Rouse, among others. Ince's music combines Persian musical traditions with Western forms. His catalog currently includes five symphonies and a piano concerto.

https://youtu.be/Ls5ibZNpmew

Harry Somers (Canadian, 1925–1999) - Lyric

Smith was a founding member of the Canadian League of Composers and was committed to developing a national style of classical music. Several of his works are considered standard repertoire for Canadian ensembles. He greatly influenced the development of Canadian music through his work as an educator, broadcaster, and composer.

#ClassicsaDay #NAFTAclassics Week 3

We have an international mix of contributors to the #ClassicsaDay feed. July has significant holidays for two of the three countries in North America. So, at the suggestion of a Canadian contributor, July became #NAFTAclassics, marking Canada Day (July 1) and Independence Day (July 4). Mexico doesn't have a July holiday, but we decided to be inclusive rather than exclusive.

For the month, I alternated between the three countries. Here are my posts for the third week of #NAFTAclassics.

Juan Trigos (Mexican, 1965 - ) - Sinfonia No. 1

Trigos enjoys an international reputation as both a conductor and a composer. He's written four symphonies, several operas, and many other works for chamber, choral, and large ensembles. As a conductor, he regularly programs and records new classical works by Mexican composers.

Joan Tower (American, 1938 - )Made in America

"Made in America" was a joint commission by 65 small orchestras. Tower describes the work as a set of variations on "America the Beautiful." Because of the joint commission, the work was performed 65 times, with Tower traveling from city to city to present it. "Made In America" remains one of her most popular works.

Owen Underhill (Canadian, 1954 - ) - By Backward Steps

Flutist and composer Own Underhill is based in Vancouver. He's considered one of the most significant living composers on the West Coast. Underhill is interested in electronic as well as acoustic music and studied both at Darmstadt and MIT.

Carlos Sánchez-Gutierrez (Mexican, 1964 - ) - Winik/Te'

Born in Mexico City, Sánchez-Gutierrez now lives in New York, teaching at the Eastman Scholl of Music. His influences are diverse, and his scores often complex. As he says, he " use the same set of ears to listen to Bach, Radiohead, or Ligeti."

Florence Price (American, 1887-1953) - Fantasie negre

Although she died in 1953, Price's music is just now coming into its own. She studied with Goerge Chadwick and Frederic Converse in the early 1900s. Price often had to work as an organist to survive. She known for her arrangements of spirituals during her lifetime. Only afterward has her symphonic scores been reassessed.

#ClassicsaDay #NAFTAclassics Week 2

We have an international mix of contributors to the #ClassicsaDay feed. July has significant holidays for two of the three countries in North America. So, at the suggestion of a Canadian contributor, July became #NAFTAclassics, marking Canada Day (July 1) and Independence Day (July 4). Mexico doesn't have a July holiday, but we decided to be inclusive rather than exclusive.

For the month, I alternated between the three countries. Here are my posts for the first week of #NAFTAclassics.

Roger Zare (American, 1985 - ) - Mare Tranquillitatis

Zare is best known for his wind ensemble and orchestral works. He studied with Michael Daughterty and Morten Lauridsen. Like his teachers, Zare writes music of substance that's also readily accessible to general audiences.

Healey Willan (Canadian, 1880–1968) - Introduction, Passacaglia, and Fugue for Organ

Willan emigrated to Canda from the UK in 1913. He wrote over 800 works, including operas and symphonies. Willan was an organist and a composer.  From 1921 until his death the organist and choirmaster of the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Toronto. He's best known for his sacred works, both for choir and for organ.

Carlos Chávez (Mexican, 1899–1978) - Xochipilli

Chávez was a preeminent musical figure in his country. He continually worked to develop classical music in Mexico -- as an educator, writer, conductor, and composer. His works often incorporate elements of native folk music. Xochipilli is the Aztec god of art and dance.

Carter Pann (American, 1972 - ) - Circumnavigator for Two Pianos

Pann studied with Samuel Adler, William Bolcom, and Joseph Schwantner (among others). Like his teachers, Pann strives to make his works readily accessible to new listeners -- without compromising the complexity of his musical thoughts. A significant part of Pann's catalog is for piano.

John Weinzweig (Canadian, 1913-2006) - Symphonic Ode

Weinzweig spent most of his professional life in Toronto. He wrote for film, stage, and radio. Popular music often finds its way into Weinzweig's classical works. He was also interested in the music of the Inuits, which also became part of his musical language.

#ClassicsaDay #NAFTAclassics Week 1

We have an international mix of contributors to the #ClassicsaDay feed. July has significant holidays for two of the three countries in North America. So, at the suggestion of a Canadian contributor, July became #NAFTAclassics, marking Canada Day (July 1) and Independence Day (July 4). Mexico doesn't have a July holiday, but we decided to be inclusive rather than exclusive.

For the month, I alternated between the three countries. Here are my posts for the first week of #NAFTAclassics.

Michael Torke (American, 1961 - ) - July for saxophone quartet

Torke has been described as a post-minimalist. His music often draws on elements of American history and pop culture. Torke wrote "July" to capture the feel of the month.

John Wyre (Canadian, 1941–2006) - Marubatoo

Percussionist and composer Wyre was born in the United States and immigrated to Canada. founded the Nexus Ensemble. He was also on the faculty of the University of Toronto and was the artistic director for World Drums. "Marubatoo" was written for the Nexus Ensemble.

Silvestre Revueltas (Mexican, 1899–1940) - Ocho X Radio

Revueltas was a composer, violinist, and conductor. He worked to promote contemporary Mexican classical music. "Ocho X Radio" was written in 1933 specifically for radio broadcast.

Joseph Vézina (Canadian, 1849–1924) - Mosaique sur des airs populaires canadiens

Vézina was a noted Quebec conductor and composer. He wrote three opéra comiques, and helped found the Laval University music school. His students include Henri Gagnon and Robert Talbot.

Gabriela Ortiz (Mexican, 1964 - ) - La Calaca

Born in Mexico City, Ortiz has become a major figure in Mexican classical music. And she has an international reputation as well. Among her many honors are a Fulbright Fellowship, a Banff Center for the Arts Residency, and first prize in the Silvestre Revueltas National Chamber Music Competition.