PRESS RELEASE

Santa Fe New Music ends 2008-2009 season with “The Music of Paul Moravec”
Sixth annual concert featuring chamber works of Santa Fe Opera “Living Composer”

(Santa Fe, NM: April 4, 2009) Santa Fe New Music ends its 2008-2009 season with the sixth annual “Living Composer” collaboration with the Santa Fe Opera. The chamber music of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Paul Moravec will be performed on April 18, at 7:00 p.m. at Stieren Hall on the Santa Fe Opera campus.

The program will feature his 2004 Pulitzer-winning work, the Shakespearean-inspired Tempest Fantasy (for clarinet, violin, cello, and piano), and The Time Gallery (for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and percussion), a work which some regard as Moravec’s most important.

SFNM’s Artistic Director John Kennedy points out that this annual collaboration with the Santa Fe Opera is a “terrific example of a synergistic relationship between two arts organizations. Performing the chamber works of the ‘living composer’ gives Opera audiences a preview of what great music they can expect during the Opera’s summer season, and provides an opportunity for SFNM to connect with new audiences.

“This year’s concert features the music of one of our most exciting American composers, who writes tunefully and with great verve. It is a wonderful way to cap our season of activities.”

Paul Moravec, described by some as a member of the "new tonalist" school, is one of the most sought-after composers in American music today, and his works are performed by luminaries of the new music scene (several of whom are familiar to SFNM audiences) including eighth blackbird, Matt Haimovitz, and others. A prolific composer, he has been commissioned by the Santa Fe Opera to compose an opera entitled The Letter, with libretto by Terry Teachout, which will have its World Premiere in Santa Fe on July 25, 2009.

For the April 18 concert, Santa Fe New Music’s ensemble includes James Shields, clarinet; Carol Redman, flute; David Felberg, violin; Sally Guenther, cello, Lydia Brown, piano; David Tolen and Angela Gabriel, percussion. SFNM’s founder and Artistic Director, John Kennedy, conducts.

Steiren Hall, Santa Fe Opera Campus. Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door; available at www.events.sfnm.org; or Nicholas Potter Booksellers, 211 East Palace Avenue.

Through concerts, commissions, and educational events, Santa Fe New Music promotes understanding of, enthusiasm for, and participation in the music of our time, serving as an advocate for new classical music and its future. SFNM was founded by Artistic Director John Kennedy in 2000. Santa Fe New Music is a 501(c)3 corporation.
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