For all flesh is as grass.

Becky and I finally got to go to the newly-opened Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts in KC on Friday to see the KC Symphony do Brahms's A German Requiem. The building is stunning inside and out and, by itself, would be a great boon to arts in KC. I was pleasantly surprised by the forceful performance of the KC Symphony Chorus, and the two soloists were excellent. The Brahms is, of course epically, gorgeous, and it was led by Michael Stern with a stirring and soulful humility. A very good performance, though it could have perhaps used a bit more of the desperate, emotional heart-wrenching quality that sometimes gets toned down in favor of tastefulness and competence.

"One of the best albums of 2011."

So sayeth Dave Archibald, he of DaveArchie's Music Blog about mine August. Read the full story HERE.

Assembly Saxophone Quartet

I'm honored to have been commissioned by the Assembly Saxophone Quartet, a very fine ensemble based  around the east coast (more-or-less). They've asked me for a new piece to premiere at their performance this coming July at the World Saxophone Congress in St. Andrews Scotland. I'm hoping to get started soon!

Dock & Load

Dock and Load, my collaborative concert installation with my cousin Gideon, premiered last Wednesday at the Music in Architecture—Architecture in Music Symposium, and went amazingly well.  I can't thank enough our large and amazing crew and our extraordinary musicians led by trombonist, Steve Parker. Due in part to safety concerns, we had to do some serious reworking of the design and choreography in the days, nay hours, nay moments right before the performance, but the end result was a thrilling and magical presentation of sounds, lights, materials, and movement (bolstered by the infectious and enthusiastic energy of the unexpectedly huge crowd). I hope to get a video of up soon.