Annual American Composers Update

Arthur Berger

Arthur Berger, the Irving Fine Professor of Music Emeritus at Brandeis University, lives in Cambridge, MA. He is preparing a book of reflections on the musical scene since 1930, based on his writings as a critic, reviewer, and lecturer, to be published by the University of California Press. In honor of the composer's 85th birthday year, many performances and tributes occurred, both live and over the radio (WOMR, Provincetown, MA Aug. 19, 1997; WGBH, Boston throughout the 1997-98; and DX Radio Network, Rochester, NY May 15, 1997). 1997 articles about him appeared in Cape Codder (Aug. 1), Cape Cod Times (Aug. 16), The New York Times (Aug. 3), and a feature article in the Fall Peters Notes, from C. F. Peters Corp. A piano 4-hands CD including his Composition for Piano, Four Hands, Duet for H.S., Perspectives III, and Capriccio is forthcoming from New World Records.

Performances

On May 12, 1997 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Cambridge, a program in his honor included For Elliott at 75, Study in 7ths and 9ths, Partita for Piano, and Prelude, Aria, and Waltz: Three Pieces for String Orchestra. Arthur Berger Week at the Cape and Islands (MA) Chamber Music Festival, held Aug. 20-23 in Centerville, Chatham, Wellfleet, and Woods Hole, featured Three Poems of Yeats, from Words for Music, Perhaps; Duo, for cello and piano; and Duo No. 1, for violin and piano. Heard on the Longy School of Music "Music of Arthur Berger -- An 85th Birthday Tribute" concert were Three Bagatelles, for piano; When I am Dead; Ode of Ronsard; Dyptyich: Collage I; and Duo, Oct. 15, 1997. The Brandeis Contemporary Chamber Players and the Auros Ensemble played Three Pieces for Two Pianos; Trio for Violin, Guitar, and Piano; and Dyptych: Collage 1 and 2, Dec. 9, 1997 at Brandeis University. In 1997, the Empyrean Ensemble presented Collage III in Santa Cruz, CA (Mar. 3) and in Davis, CA (Mar. 5).

Recordings

Five Pieces for Piano and Septet; both on New World Records 80308-2 CD.