David Del Tredici 75th Birthday Celebrations Continue!

Aaron Copland once called Pulitzer Prize winner David Del Tredici, who turned 75 on March 16, “that rare find among composers—a creator with a truly original gift.” Copland added, “I venture to say that his music is certain to make a lasting impression on the American musical scene. I know of no other composer of his generation who composes music of greater freshness and daring, or with more personality.” 

75TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS AROUND NEW YORK FOR
PULITZER PRIZE WINNING COMPOSER DAVID DEL TREDICI,
ONE OF VCCA's LONGEST SERVING ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS

Michael Tilson Thomas conducts Kiera Duffy, soprano, and members of San Francisco Symphony in "Syzygy" by Del Tredici. Photo by Kristen Loken

  • March 15: Symphony Space - David Del Tredici at 75: A Celebration in Song. Del Tredici played piano while soprano Courtenay Budd performed the song cycles Mix Inez Sez and Lament for the Death of a Bullfighter. Symphony Space Website 
  • March 23: Bargemusic (New York's floating concert hall) - Del Tredici performed the world premiere of Ray's Birthday Suit - a suite of six biographical pieces describing the life of a friend. Pianist Marc Peloquin performed Mandingo and joined Del Tredici for the four-hands Carioca Boy. Bargemusic Website Calendar 
  • March 25-26: Galapagos Art Space - American Opera Projects and Opera on Tap presented a two-night Alice in Wonderland-themed opera burlesque program. Del Tredici, with conductor Conrad Chu and soprano Amy van Roekel, performed Haddocks' Eyes, part of his landmark oeuvre inspired by the writings of Lewis Carroll. American Opera Projects website 
UPCOMING NEW YORK CELEBRATIONS
Thursday, March 29 - Carnegie Hall 
As part of the San Francisco Symphony's American Mavericks residency at Carnegie Hall, this concert will feature Syzygy (1966), Del Tredici's signature atonal piece for soprano and ensemble alongside works by Mason Bates, Lou Harrison and Harry Partch. American Mavericks Artistic Director Michael Tilson Thomas will conduct. Carnegie Hall Website
Thursday, April 12 - Le Poisson Rouge
World premiere of a solo trombone piece, Felix Variations, written for and performed by David Del Tredici's nephew, Felix Del Tredici. The Orion String Quartet wiill perform the New York premiere of String Quartet No. 2. And there will be a performance of A Field Manual by the Fireworks Ensemble, with conductor Steven Mercurio, the soprano Courtenay Budd and the baritone Michael Kelly. Le Poisson Rouge Website 

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