Libby Larsen was the first female resident composer with a major orchestra and co-founded the Minnesota Composers Forum, now the American Composers Forum.
Compositional Technique
Peter Lieuwen's piece Gulfstream is scored for the same instruments as Olivier Messiaen's landmark Quartet for the End of Time: clarinet, violin, cello, and piano.
Composer Biography
Aaron Copland, a tireless promoter of American music, co-founded the American Music Center and organized prominent concert series, earning him the moniker Dean of American Composers.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Libby Larsen, one of the composers featured, frequently investigates feminine perspectives in her works through depictions of female historical figures and fictional characters.
Composer Biography
Peter Schickele, known for his serious and satirical compositions, also had a radio show called Schickele Mix, which received an ASCAP Deems Taylor Award.
Performer Biography
enhakē, the chamber group performing on this album, has won gold medals at the International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition at Carnegie Hall and was a grand-prize winner at the Yellow Springs Chamber Music Competition.
Composition History
Aaron Copland's Sextet for Clarinet, Piano, and String Quartet began as his Second Symphony, nicknamed Short Symphony, but was re-arranged due to American orchestras struggling with its technical demands.
