How
can I get away with talking about Elvis in a classical music blog? Today we are
going to talk about Grammy award-winning composer Michael Daughtery’s (1954) Dead Elvis, one of his many works based
on a popular American icon. While finding inspiration in composers such as
Dvorak and Ives, Daughtery also enjoys writing works representing various
people and places. Coming from a background in jazz and rock, Daughtery
combines a modernist approach with popular music. Many of his works relate to
American popular culture including Superman in his Metropolis Symphony and Jackie Onassis in Jackie O.
Dead Elvis (1993) is one
of Daughtery’s works that a variety of people enjoy even outside classical
music circles. Perhaps its references to popular culture make it more
accessible? Dead Elvis is written for
a chamber ensemble and a solo bassoonist dressed up like Elvis! It incorporates
the Dies irae theme from the Mass for the Dead in varied forms reminiscent of
50s rock, Latin jazz, and Las Vegas shows—all aspects of Elvis’ career. Watch
here:
What
are your impressions of this piece?
