Eighteenth Annual Akron New Music Festival

Artistic Director James Wilding presents the eighteenth annual Akron New Music Festival, which will feature faculty and students from the University of Akron and guest artists. The 2018 festival will feature five events on Wednesday and Thursday, April 25th and 26th. Guest composer Anthony Donofrio will give a lecture and masterclass. His compositions will feature on all concerts. New this year will be the inaugural concert of the Akron Contemporary Players. Also presented will be the pre-college student composer Cole Johnson, who for the past three years has won the prestigious Gillman Award of the Children's Concert Society Scholastic Composers Contest. All events will be held in Guzzetta Hall at the University of Akron and at the Akron Art Museum. Hospitality and operations management will be provided by the New Music Association, under its president, Cody Ray. Admission will be free for all events. ​

Escher String Quartet performs Homeland Portraits

The premier of Homeland Portraits was given by the Escher String Quartet on the opening concert of Tuesday Musical's main stage season: Prelude! 130th Anniversary Party, Concert & Extraordinary Experiences! at EJ Thomas Hall in Akron, Ohio. This piece reflects the nostalgic thoughts and experiences that are connected to any place that we call home.  ​
Watch the Preview:
Watch the full videos:
People Gathering is an image of a busy colorful market, or a family reunion, or a religious ceremony. It takes place anywhere in the world, in any place that any person calls home. The people I visualize in this movement are related to all of us, are one family.
Open Plain depicts the stillness of a broad landscape, a calm beauty stretching to the horizon, and clouds always changing shape. It is a tribute to the magnificent places on our planet, places reflected by the awe and wonder in the eyes of every person speaking of his or her home.
Fire is inspired by the homely warmth of the living-room fireside, or the adventure of the summer campfire, or the frightening rage of a bush-fire. But most of all, it is a portrait of the fire within: the creative spirit that lifts all of us.
Follow along with the score:

Homeland Portraits Reviewed ​in Cleveland Classical

MIKE TELIN
​21 September 2017
... “People Gathering,” a rhythmically driving, perpetual motion frenzy ... “Open Plain” unfolds with a slow, simple motive ... “Fire,” an exuberant dance of celebration...
Read more here.

The Making of Homeland Portraits

Watch a film of the compositional process:

Kaupo Kikkas Photography

New artist photos from award-winning Estonian photographer Kaupo Kikkas

Watch Videos of Recent Compositions

I have always loved the music of Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.  In celebration of his 150th birthday, I wrote a new piece called "Bells", which is inspired by the grand melody in his fifth symphony.  
This is the second of my seven etudes, all of which are explorations of pianistic and compositional technique.  I recorded it at Steinway Hall in Cleveland on a beautiful model D.