Clint Edwards Music.com

Bela Horvath, Xiayin Wang, Raphael Dube, and Tom Palny

“Verano Porteno” (Summer) from “Three Tangos based on themes of Piazzolla”

Music arranged by CLINT EDWARDS (based on themes of Astor Piazzolla)

Performed by Xiayin Wang (piano) and the Amity Players: Bela Horvath (violin), Tom Palny (viola), and Raphael Dube (cello).

Pianist Xiayin Wang and the Amity Players recently included three tangos I arranged for them in a performance in Carnegie Hall, on the Weill Hall stage.  The performance took place in January 9th, 2009 and coincided with the release of their new CD “Brahms’ Piano Quartets.” This was the second performance of the tangos in Weill Hall.

Here is a live recording of “Verano Porteno” from the performance on January 9th.

A little history…

In the fall of 2006 Xiayin approached me about arranging three of Astor Piazzolla’s tangos into a suite to perform with a piano quartet.  Various arrangements of these tangos existed but none seemed to fit the needs of the group, especially given that they would share the bill with much larger 19th century romantic chamber works by Brahms and Faure.  I wrote with the dual goal of expanding the simple ABA structures of the original tangos and adding weight to the material by showcasing the virtuosic capabilities of each player and the ensemble as a whole.

From the program notes by Paul Griffiths:

“Verano Porteno” (Port District Summer) dates from the Argentine composer’s first years back in Buenos Aires after his stay in New York in 1958-60.  Composed for a play, it was an immediate hit, and helped Piazzolla counter the disparagement and outrage that had been voiced in his direction by tango conservatives in Argentina.  It’s middle section sits nicely on strings in this version.

Later, Piazzolla added three more pieces to make a Buenos Aires “Four Seasons.”

Here are some photos from that night:

With Mom and Dad before the concert

With Robbie

Raphael Dube and Tom Palny on stage (trying to find me in the audience)

Xiayin Wang, Tom Palny, Raphael Dube, and Bela Horvath

Tags: Classical Music, Tango

Clint Edwards with Xiayin Wang at Carnegie Hall, 2006.

I am happy to announce an upcoming performance of my piece “Three Tangos based on themes of Piazzolla” in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall on January 9th.   Pianist Xiayin Wang and the Amity Players will be playing the tangos along with two of Brahms’ best chamber works, the piano quartets in C minor and G minor. The concert will coincide with the release of their new CD “Brahms Piano Quartets.”

Carnegie Hall calendar and tickets:

http://www.carnegiehall.org/SiteCode/Events/MonthCalendar.aspx?selecteddate=01042009

“Agnus Dei”

Music composed, orchestrated, and recorded by CLINT EDWARDS

Performed by LAUREN WELLIEHAUSEN

My good friend, soprano Lauren Welliehausen, came to New York recently for the first time since her wedding and subsequent move to Germany. A few years ago, Lauren sang the premiere of my “Requiem Prayers” with me at Carnegie Hall and this month’s post features another setting of one of those Requiem texts, the “Agnus Dei.” We recorded this new text setting during her recent trip. Lauren sang all three parts.

“Agnus Dei”

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.

which means:

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace

“Farewell”

Music composed, orchestrated, and recorded by CLINT EDWARDS

Text by LORD BYRON from “Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage”

I’m starting a new project recording and producing new song demos for posting on my website. My goal is to have a new piece posted on the first Monday of each month.

Coincidentally, I’m beginning things with a “farewell”…or so to speak. “Farewell” is a song that I composed for my good friend, soprano, Lauren Bradley. She premiered the song in New York this past January. It’s apropos that I’m presenting this piece now, since Lauren has just moved to Germany to pursue her operatic career. I wish her great success and will miss her. Enjoy the music!

My task is done-my song hath ceased-my theme
Has died into an echo;
The torch shall be extinguished which hath lit
My midnight lamp-and the glow
Which in my Spirit dwelt is fluttering, faint, and low.

Farewell! a word that must be, and hath been-
A sound which makes us linger,-yet-farewell!
Ye! who have traced the Pilgrim to the scene
Which is my last-if in your memories dwell
A thought which once was mine-if on ye swell
A single recollection-not in vain
And in that image shall forever tell-
Farewell! with me alone may rest the pain,
If such there were-with you, the Moral of my Strain.
Farewell!

Farewell: score page

Tags: Orchestral, Song