This week, we replay our September 2014 interview with composer Scott Wheeler. We discuss writing for voice, and the trials and tribulations of microphones.
- This week on SoundNotion, the panel is joined by composer Scott Wheeler to discuss his new opera Naga co-commissioned by Boston Lyric Opera and Beth Morrison Projects (featured on SN 142, 24 Nov, 2013).
- The work is part the Ouroboros Trilogy of operas around the same characters and folk source material conceived by Charles and Cerise Lim Jacobs that includes the pulitzer-winning work Madame White Snake by Zhou Long plus Wheeler’s Naga and Gilgamesh by Paola Prestini. The completed trilogy will be premiered in a day-long event in 2016.
- Scott also has a new album of orchestral music out on the BMOP label. Crazy Weather is available now and it’s our Pick of the Week.
- Friend of the show Alex Ross has some quibbles with classical music streaming. The SN panel does as well. It’s called METADATA! Alan Pierson on the AWS blog and Bob Shingleton on On An Overgrown Path have some quibbles as well.
- Speaking of quibbles, the BBCdefends its snub of Harrison Birtwistle. We aren’t buying.
- Round three of the recently revamped New Music USA grants project proves that they aren’t afraid to roll with the punches and respond to their stakeholders. This year will feature more funding for smaller projects.
- AND – sigh – Labor issues in Atlanta. A lockout may be imminent – OOPS, scratch that – Atlanta musicians ARE locked out. Drew McManus will keep you up to date.
