San Francisco, CA (GENERATION MEDIA) - San Francisco composer Michael Kaulkin has been commissioned by the Hungarian Chamber Symphony Orchestra to write a piece for string orchestra. The new work, Letter to Hungary, will open the HCSO's American Composers' Podium, a concert of all American works. The concert will take place on Friday, November 18, 7:30 p.m. at the Italian
Institute in Budapest. Kaulkin studied with composer János Vajda at the Franz Liszt Academy of
Music in Budapest from 1989 to 1992.
Michael Kaulkin has received premieres and commissions over the past few years that have raised his profile within the United States and now abroad. Letter to Hungary is the latest addition to his catalogue of orchestral, choral, chamber and theater works. In this new work Mr. Kaulkin explores a new sensitivity to string orchestra writing while adhering to some traditional ideas of compositional structure. Below the composer explains.
"Letter to Hungary draws inspiration from Hungarian folk music, which I've studied and loved this music since my time living in Budapest in the early 1990's. Using a folksong anthology that I've had since those days, I found a tune that's appropriate, both in what the text conveys and in that it bears some of the lovely intervals and modal shifts typically found in these folksongs. The work will be in one movement and will be approximately fifteen minutes in length.
The folk tune presents itself in various ways during the 15-minute piece. Fragments of the tune are woven into the texture of the introduction, interlocking with a lush chorale. In the slow middle section, it gradually comes into the foreground until it is finally heard in a fairly traditional, straightforward setting. The final third of the piece is an energetic scherzo, at the end of which tune slowly emerges in augmentation from the basses and cellos, leading the piece to its final climax."
It is the HCSO-Foundation's aim that the American Composers' Podium will serve as an open door for American composers from all times to expose their works in Hungary and Central Europe. The ACP also aims to promote permanent artistic ties between composers and performers from the United States and Hungary. Fostering cultural understanding between the two countries, ACP offers a unique opportunity to the audience to get acquainted with the extensive repertoire and stylistic diversity of American music and art. Works by contemporary composers will be in the focus of ACP's concert programs. At the same time, this yearly event will provide a special opportunity to outstanding young soloists for their Hungarian debut performing with the orchestra.
Conductor Alberto Santana said, "ACP is one of the most exciting projects we have planned for this season. We will be performing three world premieres, which will be a starting point for ongoing collaborations between Hungarian and American musicians and artists". The American Embassy in Budapest has taken a great interest in developing the ACP, and the HCSO is grateful for their support from the earliest stages. They remain one of the main sponsors of this event.
Michael Kaulkin will be joined by two other composers from the United States on this program. Malcolm Hawkins' Horn Concerto entitled The Three Maidens will be performed by one of Hungary's greatest horn players, Imre Magyari. Portuguese-born, British-American composer, Malcolm Hawkins now resides in New Hampshire, and has dedicated his piece to Imre Magyari and the Hungarian Chamber Symphony Orchestra. The third piece on the Podium's program is by composer Sara Doncaster, a Vermont native. Her Song of Nature for Soprano and String Orchestra, will take us on a voyage of depth and inspiring lyricism.
The remainder of the Podium will offer the rarely performed Symphony No. 2 by Samuel BARBER, and his world famous work Adagio for Strings.
For more information and a complete biography of Michael Kaulkin or this event please contact Tony Scafide at Generation Media Group 631 846-6231 or visit www.aboutthecomposer.com the website and blog of Michael Kaulkin.
