Gregory Wanamaker

composer

new disc

Glint features Timothy McAllister’s definitive recording of my Duo Sonata with Robert Spring. See more in my discography. »

11.06.10

I completed Dreamscape, a new piece for wind ensemble last week and found that suddenly reviews are pouring out of the woodwork. See below for details.

Check out an Interview with Timothy McAllister in the Nov/Dec issue of Fanfare Magazine here. Fascinating piece (and some nice words about yours truly).

The current issue of Fanfare also contains excellent reviews of Tim’s Innova albums Glint and In Transit. Click here to read. Mr. Grames has some very nice things to say about Duo Sonata and Sonata deus sax machina.

A couple of terrific reviews of Robert Spring’s album Oncoming Traffic and Timothy McAllister’s album Glint, both of which feature my Duo Sonata appear here and here. Congratulations to all the performers and composers involved!

I also had a terrific experience working with the Adirondack Youth Orchestra last week to prepare for the premiere of Joyful Noises. This is the first time I have composed a work for the under 18 crowd (not to mention the fact that I haven't spent much time with the 11 - 17 age group), and I must say that I have never had a finer experience with any group of musicians in my entire life. I wish their enthusiasm for playing new music would infect the typical college music major! Anyway, I can't wait to hear the premiere of Joyful Noises in Plattsburgh, NY on Sunday, November 14!

10.10.10

I am thoroughly enjoying my sabbatical from The Crane School of Music! I am using my time not only to complete a couple of works for wind ensemble and some chamber music, but I am also building a guitar under the guidance of luthier David Nichols. It’s quite fun and a lot of hard work, and I am finding it refreshing to try something completely new.

A couple of terrific reviews of Robert Spring’s album Oncoming Traffic and Timothy McAllister’s album Glint, both of which feature my Duo Sonata appear here and here. Congratulations to all the performers and composers involved!

On a related note, the Nov/Dec issue of Fanfare Magazine will an interview with Timothy McAllister along with two sets of reviews of his albums Glint and In Transit, which features my Sonata deus sax machina. Keep an eye out for this issue!

The Capitol Quartet has finished their recording sessions of a brand new album, which features my to be released next summer. This new disc, produced and engineered by Scott Burgess of White Pine Music, features my Run commissioned the Capitol Quartet last year. The Capitol Quartet and Scott Burgess were selected as recipients of an Aaron Copland Grant to record new works by American composers. I am honored to be a part of this project!

Only about a month left before the premiere of my Joyful Noises by the Adirondack Youth Orchestra! More Later!

08.24.10

What a summer! This has been a fulfilling season of rest, renewal, travel and composing. I plan on continuing all of these activities during my Sabbatical from the Crane School of Music this Fall. Lots and lots of Wind Ensemble and Chamber music coming up!

I am very grateful to many of the radio stations around the country (especially WQXR, New York City; WCNY, Syracuse; and WWUH, Hartford) who have been airing Tim and Bob’s recording of my Duo Sonata from Tim McAllister’s Innova release Glint. Radio ain’t dead yet, folks! It’s nice to know that there are a few independent and public stations that are interested in recent so-called classical music. Support these stations with all your might!

Robert Spring’s SPECTACULAR new Summit Records release Oncoming Traffic also features my Duo Sonata and is available at Amozon and other fine vendors.

I am pleased to announce that The Capitol Quartet and Scott Burgess, of White Pine Music, were selected as recipients of an Aaron Copland Grant to record new works by American composers. They will be recording Run, which the Capitol Quartet commissioned and premiered last year. I am honored to be included in this project! I am also told that this disc will be released as early as December.

That's all for now! Please check back from time to time. There are plenty of projects and events in the hopper!

06.01.10

Summer is almost officially here! But for me, it has already arrived with an exciting new series of projects in the queue. I am pleased to announced that I have been commissioned by the Adirondack Youth Orchestra Association for a new work to be premiered in November in celebration of their 25th Anniversary. This is an exciting project for me as it is my first piece for a youth ensemble, but it is an excellent group in my neck of the woods with a fine group of leaders. I am also looking forward to composing a series of works for various wind ensembles here at The Crane School of Music and the Western Plains Wind Consortium for their 2011-2012 season. In addition, I have been commissioned by the Society for New Music in Syracuse, New York for a new chamber workfor their 2011-2012 season.

I was honored to hear the New York State Premiere of the string orchestra version of my Elegy by the Orchestra of Northern New York in May under the baton of Kenneth Andrews. The was the finest interpretation of the piece I have heard to date and am happy to report that it was very well received by the Orchestra and the audience alike.

Robert Spring’s exciting new Summit Records release Oncoming Traffic featuring my Duo Sonata is listed as available on Amazon, although it is currently listed as having a delay of nine to eleven days. Stay tuned for details.

On a related note Timothy McAllister’s new album Glint featuring the definitive recording of my Duo Sonata with Robert Spring is available online exclusively at the Innova Records website. This great disc will be available to all online sellers and fine music stores everywhere on July, 27, 2010. More details are available on my discography page.

That's all for now! Please check back from time to time. There are plenty of projects and events in the hopper!

01.13.10

Happy New Year! 2010 already promises to be an exciting and productive year! Just yesterday, we have seen the release of Timothy McAllister’s new album Glint featuring the definitive recording of my Duo Sonata. It is now available online exclusively at the Innova Records website with a “street release” date of July, 27, 2010. More details are available on my discography page.

Robert Spring’s exciting new cd Oncoming Traffic also featuring my Duo Sonata is soon to follow on Summit Records. Despite the fact that they contain the same performance, both discs are well worth purchasing as they have completely different programs. I am thrilled to be in the company of such composers as John Mackey, Roshanne Etezady, Kati Agocs, and Scott McAllister!

October 2009 brought the world premiere of Run by the Capitol Quartet. I am happy to learn that they are including it in future performances as well including the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference at the University of Georgia. This event takes place March 3-6, 2010 and also feature perfomances of my Capriccio by the Mana Trio and Duo Sonata by Jan Berry Baker. I may even be there myself. Plenty of other performances are coming up this season: please see my calendar page for more details.

I also recently received word that PRISM Quartet completed recordings of the 24 one-minute works including my speed metal organum blues composed in 2004 for their 20th anniversary concerts. This set of miniatures, coupled with a new saxophone quartet by Martin Bresnick, is sure to make an exciting disc. Stay tuned for details!

That's all for now! Please check back from time to time. There are plenty of projects and events in the hopper!