See samueladler.com for biography.
Annual Updates
2010
PREMIERES
The Eastman Chorale, under the direction of William Weinert, gave the first performance of Five Choral Scherzi February 13, 2009, with violist Brett Deubner and guitarist Christopher Kenniff, Rochester, NY. String Quartet No. 9 was given its premiere by the Esterhazy Quartet, April 13, Columbia, MO; the group performed the work again, along with String Quartet No. 8, October 22, Boston, MA. Guitarist Ricardo Iznaola presented Canto IXX, May 10, in Denver, CO. Tribute for cello and piano was introduced by Johan Krarup and Henrik Hansen June 20, Copenhagen, Denmark. The Whatcom Symphony, led by Roger Briggs, gave the first performance of All Nature Plays: An Overture for Orchestra, February 10, 2010, Bellingham, WA. Festival Fanfare and Dance will be heard in a March performance by the Cincinnati (OH) Youth Wind Ensemble, directed by Ann Porter.
PERFORMANCES
Several pieces were heard at the Composers’ Showcase at the University of Montana, Missoula, April 13-14, 2009: Reconciliation for soprano, flute clarinet, violin, cello, and piano; Ports of Call for two violins and guitar; and Madrigals for six flutes. The Florida Orchestra, conducted by Stefan Sanderling, performed The Fixed Desire of the Human Heart for symphony orchestra, May 3-5, Tampa, FL. Members of the Danish Radio Symphony Orchestra, accompanied by pianist Henrik Hansen, presented Sonatas for oboe and piano, violin and piano, and flute and piano; as well as Emunah for cello and piano, June 20, Copenhagen, Denmark. Timothy Russell led the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra in a performance of Joi Amor Cortezia, Seven Dances for Chamber Orchestra, October 11, Columbus, OH.
PUBLICATIONS
Three Pieces for Cello and Piano by Theodore Presser; Long May She Prosper, large wind ensemble, by Carl Fischer; Canto IXX, guitar solo, by Ludwig Music.
RECORDINGS
The Wrestler,opera in one act, to be released online through Naxos Records, Spring 2010.
2009
Numerous 80th birthday celebrations this year of Dr. Adler’s music included programs in New York City and Rochester, NY; St. Louis and Columbia, MO; Berlin, Germany; Jerusalem, Israel; Madrid, Spain; the Universities of Iowa and Northern Iowa; University of Texas, San Antonio; and Trinity University at the Interlochen Arts Academy. The Esterhazy String Quartet has commissioned him to write a ninth String Quartet for its 40th Anniversary; the Quartet will introduce it April 13, 2009, in Columbia, MO.
PREMIERES
Beverly Curnow introduced Canto XVIII for accordion, June 21, 2008, at the American Accordion Association Convention, Arlington, VA; the work received a second hearing in a performance by Robert McMahan, October 10, in New York, NY. Arcos Concerto for chamber orchestra was first heard November 17 at The Juilliard School in New York, NY.
PERFORMANCES
The Empire State Youth Orchestra, conducted by Helen Cha-Pyo, presented A Bridge to Understanding for orchestra on an April 2008 tour of Europe in the cities of Eisenach, Prague, and Salzburg. Symphony No. 1 was heard April 25 at the Interlochen Arts Academy in a performance conducted by Emily Freeman Brown. The Eastman School of Music sponsored an 80th Birthday Celebration for the composer October 17-18, during which Brahmsiana for 8 Horns; On Musique, Poetrie, Art and Love; String Trio; Piano Quintet; and Double Visions for Wind Ensemble were heard. Works performed at The Juilliard School in New York, NY on November 17 included: Elegy, Nuptial Scene, Beyond the Pale, Concertino No. 3, and the Arcos Concerto; all performed by the Arcos Chamber Orchestra directed by John-Edward Kelly. Organist Paul Jacobs and the Toledo Symphony, under the direction of Stefan Sanderling, presented Lux Perpetua, for organ and orchestra, November 21-22; other performances included those given by the Laredo (TX) and Minneapolis (MN) Symphonies in October and November.
PUBLICATIONS
A Bridge to Understanding, orchestra; by Theodore Presser. Long May She Prosper, band; Carl Fischer. The Collected Works for Organ Solo in four volumes; by Wayne Leupold Editions.
RECORDINGS
Of Musique, Poetrie, Art and Love contains Three Piano Preludes; Four Composer Portraits; Song Cycle Of Musique, Poetrie, Art and Love; Flute Sonata; Soundings; Pasiphae; and Piano Concerto No. 3. Pianist Laura Melton, flutist Carol Wincenc, soprano Elizabeth Farnum, saxophonist John Sampen, percussionist Roger Schupp, and the Bowling Green Philharmonia under the direction of Emily Freeman Brown; Naxos. Canto VXI for viola solo, violist Jurgen Weber; Musicaphon Records, Germany.
2008
Samuel Adler’s 80th birthday in March 2008 will be celebrated with many concerts nationwide, including programs at the Juilliard School (NY), the University of Northern Iowa, Transylvania University (KY), the Eastman School (NY), Southern Methodist University (TX), the Interlochen Arts Academy (MI), as well as in Madrid, Spain; Berlin, Germany; and at several other international festivals. Alfred Music Publishers is republishing all of Adler’s choral music previously published by Lawson-Gould, while Wayne Leupold Editions is publishing all of Adler’s solo organ music in one or two volumes.
Premieres
Paul Jacob premiered Partita for Organ on February 23, 2008, in New York, NY. The American String Trio presented String Trio on February 25, also in New York City. A Bridge to Understanding, for large orchestra, will be heard March 8, 2008, in Albany, NY, in a performance by the Empire State Youth Orchestra under the direction of Helen Cha-Pyo.
Performances
The composer conducted the Rundfunkchor Berlin (Germany) in performances of Jewish Liturgical Works on August 31 and September 1, 2007. Piano Quintet was heard November 13 at the Manhattan School of Music, New York. Paul Phillips led the Southern Methodist University Symphony Orchestra in performances of Symphony No. 1 October 17 and 21 in Dallas, TX. The University of North Texas Percussion Ensemble presented Music for Elevator in Denton (TX) on October 24; while Laura Melton included Three Preludes for Piano Solo in a recital at Bowling Green (OH) State University.
Publications
Long May She Prosper, wind ensemble; Three Piano Preludes; both by Carl Fischer. A Bridge to Understanding, orchestra; Theodore Presser. Sonata for Organ and Partita for Organ; Wayne Leupold Editions. Psalm 124, choir and organ; Paraclete Press.