* * *

October 4, 2011
Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP) releases
Alan Hovhaness: Exile Symphony, Armenian Rhapsodies No. 103 | Song of the Sea | Concerto for Soprano Saxophone and Strings featuring
John McDonald, piano, Kenneth Radnofsky, soprano saxophone

In Alan Hovhaness: Exile Symphony, BMOP/sound revives the works of this century’s most influential Armenian-American composer. Gil Rose leads the BMOP musicians in a powerful performance of the title piece, Symphony No. 1, Exile, composed as a tribute to Armenians displaced before and after the genocide during World War I. Also featured on the disc are the composer’s three Armenian Rhapsodies, which freely integrate Armenian musical sources, tending towards the darker, lower tones found in traditional village tunes. Soloists include Kenneth Radnofsky’s fine performance in Concerto for Soprano Saxophone and John McDonald’s masterful touch in the tone poem, Song of the Sea.

TO buy CD (BMOP/sound 1020, $16.99), visit http://www.bmop.org/audio-recordings/alan-hovhaness-exile-symphony

* * *

John's compositions have been performed on four continents, and his work is frequently featured in the U.S.A. by such ensembles as Alea III, Arden Quartet, Boston Composers String Quartet, BMOP, DaVinci Quartet, Hartt Contemporary Players, Kalistos Chamber Orchestra, Marimolin, Brave New Works, and by pianists David Holzman, Veronica Jochum and Andrew Rangell. His recent accolades include the 2010 Waring Prize, 2009 Lillian and Joseph Leibner Award for Distinguished Teaching and Advising from Tufts University, and was named the 2007 MTNA-Shepherd Distinguished Composer of the Year by the Music Teachers National Association.

more about the composer / pianist

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, October 15, 2011, 8:00PM,

Longy School of Music, Pickman Auditorium, 27 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
T: 617.876.0956

Firebird Ensemble: MYTHIC BEASTS - music of myth and imagination.
Featuring John McDonald's Seven Album Leaves, Op. 479, and music by Andrew Norman, Eric Guinivan and John Orfe.

$25 ($15 Senior, Student)

Saturday, October 16, 2011, 3:00PM,

Tufts University Granoff Music Center, Distler Performance Hall, 20 Talbot Avenue, Medford, MA.

Sunday at Tufts - Community Concert Series
Japanese Music: Traditional to Contemporary
Performance faculty member Elizabeth Reian Bennett presents music for shakuhachi, koto, and string quartet.
Premier of McDonald's The Budbill Seasons, Op. 481 (poems by David Budbill) and Six George Street Melodies, Op. 478. With Elizabeth Anker, Contralto.

Free, no tickets required.

Sunday, October 17, 2011, 3:00PM,

Tufts University Cohen Auditorium, Aidekman Arts Center, 40 Talbot Avenue, Medford, MA.

Tufts President Anthony Monaco Inauguration 2011 Arts Showcase and Reception
McDonald’s piano music (Little Allegretto About Aim For David Budbill and First Baritone, Then Soprano) performed live as accompaniment for a dance duet choreographed by Daniel McCusker.

Free, no tickets required. Please rsvp with Arts Showcase as the subject, and your name to rsvpevents@tufts.edu.

more upcoming events