Today,
let’s look at a composer who comes from Cincinnati and frequently returns for
collaborations with the CSO. Who might I be referring to? Bryce Dessner – the
founder of the MusicNOW Festival.
Though
primarily known as a guitarist with The National, Dessner also has made quite
the career for himself as a composer! He has had a good number of commissions
from major ensembles including the LA Philharmonic, the Kronos Quartet, and the
New York City Ballet. He has also written works for artists including Jennifer
Koh and Katia and Marielle Labeque.
Growing
up in Cincinnati, Dessner began his music studies on the flute, but quickly
moved to classical guitar. He also had a band with his brother and often
wondered how he might fuse the two musical paths. This task turned into a
successful and creative career.
What
works by Dessner are you familiar with? Today, let’s look at a piece
commissioned by the Kronos Quartet in 2009. Aheym
(homeward in Yiddish) is dedicated his grandmother, who often told Bryce
and his brother as children certain details of how she made it to America (the
family includes Jewish immigrants).
