Living American Composers: New Music from Bowling Green
Airs locally Friday 8 - 9 p.m.
Distributed internationally through the Public Radio Exchange (PRX)
"Magnetic North for new music lovers points to Bowling Green, Ohio."
— David Lang, Grammy and Pulitzer Prize winning composer
For nearly four decades, hundreds of composers, performers, and lovers of contemporary music have descended annually on a small college town in northwest Ohio for a singular event: the New Music Festival at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). Home to the MidAmerican Center for Contemporary Music, BGSU also sponsors a multi-venue concert series called Music at the Forefront, which shines a spotlight on new and exciting young musicians.
Produced by WGTE Public Media and hosted by Brad Cresswell, Living American Composers: New Music from Bowling Green features live concert recordings from the New Music Festival and Music at the Forefront, alongside the commercial discography of related composers, alumni, and BGSU faculty. Designed with the mainstream classical listener in mind, the program features audience-friendly works that are introduced by their respective composers and performers.
Our most recent season features a special new subseries called Living Women Composers, which is curated and co-hosted by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and BGSU alumna Jennifer Higdon. We also offer in-depth profiles of multi Grammy Award-winning composer Michael Daugherty; piano powerhouse Kathleen Supové; cutting edge vocal collective Roomful of Teeth, and visionary Chicago-based ensemble Spektral Quartet. Rounding out the season are concert performances from the 2017 New Music Gathering at Bowling Green State University, including an entire program of new commissions from the acclaimed New Music Ensemble at Grand Valley State University.
Information for Station Programmers
Content and Distribution Partners
Audio content for New Music from Bowling Green is provided in part by our digital partner, New Sounds from New York Public Radio. You can discover a world of hand-crafted, genre-free music with New Sounds' listener-supported 24/7 online radio station. Tune in today at newsounds.org.
New Music from Bowling Green is sponsored by the College of Musical Arts at Bowling Green State University, produced by WGTE Public Media and distributed internationally through the Public Radio Exchange (PRX). Since launching in October 2013, the program has been heard by nearly two million listeners on more than 160 radio stations worldwide.
In Concert: New Music Gathering II
Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble (credit: SALT Arts Documentation) In our final episode for season five, we hear a concert performance from the Grand Valley State University New Music Ensemble, made up entirely of works commissioned by the group. Part of the 2017 New Music Gathering at Bowling Green State University.
Music heard in this episode (all performances by the GVSU New Music Ensemble):
Alexandra Gardner: Vixen
David Biedenbender: Red Vesper
Molly Joyce: Bite the Dust
Sarah Kirkland Snider: You Are Free
Adam Cuthbert: Location Sharing
Jad Abumrad: Counting in C
Audio Extra: Listen to the entire episode with introductions by the GVSU ensemble's founder and director, Bill Ryan. (posted with permission)
Listen • 59:00
In Concert: New Music Gathering I
New Music Gathering (credit: SALT Arts Documentation) We hear concert performances from the contemporary music world’s premiere conference, the annual New Music Gathering, which in 2017 was held at Bowling Green State University.
Music heard in this episode:
Jon Fielder: Kerplünkte
Keith Kirchoff, piano with electronics
Daniel Bayot: The Philosophy of Wood
Daniel Bayot, voice
Steven Sloan, voice
Daniel Landis, voice
Gabriella Smith: Huascarán
Latitude 49
Arlene Sierra: Urban Birds
Kathleen Supové, piano
Yu-Lien The, piano
Stephanie Titus, piano
Rusty Banks: Magicicada
L+M Duo
Audio Extra: pianist Kathleen Supové and Arlene Sierra's Urban Birds (posted with permission)
Listen • 16:18
Close Up with Kathleen Supové
Pianist Kathleen Supové (supove.com) We visit with action-packed performance artist/keyboardist (and force behind The Exploding Piano) Kathleen Supové, with some of her best performances – including a concert appearance at Bowling Green State University.
Music heard in this episode:
Randall Woolf: What Remains of a Rembrandt
Kathleen Supové, piano with soundtrack
FCR170
Neil Rolnick: Digits
Kathleen Supové, piano with computer
BGSU New Music Festival (Innova 656)
Carolyn Yarnell: The Same Sky
Kathleen Supové, piano with soundtrack
Koch International 7572
Audio Extra:
Listen to the entire episode (posted with permission).
Listen • 59:00
Music at the Forefront: Spektral Quartet
Spektral Quartet (credit: Dan Kullman) We spend the hour with the Chicago-based visionary ensemble Spektral Quartet and some of the works created just for them, including selections from a recent Music at the Forefront concert at Bowling Green State University.
Music heard in this episode:
Marcos Balter: Chambers
Spektral Quartet
Parlour Tapes+ PT001
Chris Fisher-Lochhead: Hack – Set 4 – Pryor, Williams, Ms. Pat, Notaro
Spektral Quartet
DSL-92198
David Reminick: The Ancestral Mousetrap: IV. Bringing a Dead Man Back Into Life
Spektral Quartet
DSL-92198
Hans Thomalla: Bagatellen
Spektral Quartet
(recorded live in concert at BGSU, 2016)
Learn more about Spektral Quartet's ringtone project, Mobile Minatures, at http://spektralquartet.com/mobile-miniatures/
Audio Extra: Listen to the entire episode (posted with permission).
Listen • 59:00
Close Up with Michael Daugherty II
Michael Daugherty in his home studio (WGTE) Multi Grammy-winning composer Michael Daugherty continues the backstage tour of his musical career, with more stories behind some of his best-known works.
Music heard in this episode (all composed by Michael Daugherty):
Mt. Rushmore: Teddy Roosevelt
Pacific Symphony & Chorale/St. Clair
Naxos 8.559749
Labyrinth of Love: Oh come to me in dreams, my love!
Hila Plitmann, soprano
Edward Goodman, baritone saxophone
University of Michigan Symphony Band/Haithcock
Equilibrium 140
Tales of Hemingway: For Whom the Bell Tolls
Zuill Bailey, cello
Nashville Symphony/Guerrero
Naxos 8.559798
Jackie O: I Am Curious (Yellow)
Eric Owens, bass
Houston Grand Opera Orchestra & Chorus/Larkin
Argo 455 591
Raise the Roof
Roger Schupp, timpani
Bowling Green Philharmonia/ Brown
TROY1020
Metropolis Symphony: Mxyzptlk
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra/Zinman
Argo 452 103
Audio Extra: Michael Daugherty entertaining at the piano.
Listen • 1:31
Close Up with Michael Daugherty I
Composer Michael Daugherty in his home studio (credit: WGTE) Multi Grammy-winning composer Michael Daugherty takes us on a backstage tour of his musical career, providing the stories behind some of his best-known works.
Music heard in this episode (all by Michael Daugherty):
Snap!
London Sinfonietta/Stenz
Decca 458145
Metropolis Symphony: Oh Lois
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra/Zinman
Decca 452103
American Gothic: Pitchfork
Nashville Symphony/Guerrero
Naxos 8.559798
Niagara Falls
University of Michigan Symphony Band/Haithcock
Equilibrium 86
Winter Dreams
North Texas Wind Symphony/Corporon
GIA 989
Audio Extra: Michael Daugherty talks about how growing up in Iowa influenced his music, and introduces Niagara Falls.
Listen • 3:20
In Residence: Roomful of Teeth
Roomful of Teeth (credit: Bonica Ayala Photography) We hear a program inspired by cutting-edge vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth’s 2017 residency at Bowling Green State University, introduced by RoT founder Brad Wells and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Caroline Shaw.
Music heard in this episode:
Brad Wells: Render
Roomful of Teeth
NWAM065
Brad Wells: Otherwise
Roomful of Teeth
NWAM065
Caroline Shaw: Partita for 8 Voices
Roomful of Teeth
NWAM078
Rinde Eckert: Cesca’s View
Roomful of Teeth
NWAM078
Audio Extra: Brad Wells on RoT and Otherwise.
Listen • 4:00
Fresh Tracks
Quince Contemporary Vocal Ensemble (credit: Aleksandr Karjaka) We sample recent and upcoming albums with Bowling Green connections, including the latest from the Quince Contemporary Vocal Ensemble. Also, the final installment in Jennifer Higdon’s 6-part subseries, Living Women Composers.
Music heard in this episode:
Cara Haxo: Three Erasures
Quince Contemporary Vocal Ensemble
New Focus Recordings
Jennifer Higdon: American Canvas
Dolce Suono Trio
Innova 991
Tina Davidson: Blue Curve of the Earth
Hilary Hahn, violin
Cory Smythe, piano
DG B0019103
Scott Wollschleger: Soft Aberration
Anne Lanzilotti, viola
Karl Larson, piano
FCR 182
Audio Extra: Cara Haxo introduces Three Erasures.
Listen • 3:35
Festival Redux II
Composer Andrea Clearfield (credit: Mark Stehle) We revisit performances from season one of NMBG with fresh introductions by their respective composers. Also, Jennifer Higdon presents music by Andrea Clearfield as part of her subseries Living Women Composers.
Music heard in this episode:
John Luther Adams: Dark Waves
Robert Satterlee & Laura Melton, pianos
David Lang: Cheating, Lying, Stealing
BGSU Wind Ensemble/Moss
Andrea Clearfield: Convergence
Barbara Westphal, viola
Christian Ruvolo, piano
Bridge 9442
Nico Muhly: Keep in Touch
Nadia Sirota, viola
Nico Muhly, keyboards/electronics
Anohni, vocals
Audio Extra: Jennifer Higdon introduces music by Andrea Clearfield.
Listen • 2:20
Festival Redux I
Bowling Green Philharmonia (credit: BGSU) We revisit performances from season one of NMBG with fresh introductions by their respective composers. Also, Jennifer Higdon pays tribute to Joan Tower in her ongoing subseries Living Women Composers.
Music heard in this episode:
Ingram Marshall: Bright Kingdoms
Bowling Green Philharmonia/Brown
Troy 1654
Joan Tower: Stroke
Nashville Symphony/Guerrero
Naxos 8.559775
Andrew Rindfleisch: In the Zone
Meridian Arts Ensemble
Innova 850
Andrew Rindfleisch: A Little Fanfare Music (by Lady MacBeth) (excerpt)
Meridian Arts Ensemble
Innova 850
Audio Extra: Jennifer Higdon introduces music by Joan Tower.
Listen • 2:50
Festival 2016
Mary Kouyoumdjian by Dominica Eriksen We hear concert performances from the 2016 New Music Festival at Bowling Green State University, including an excerpt from Mary Kouyoumdjian's powerful "Children of Conflict" series. Also, Jennifer Higdon profiles the music of Marilyn Shrude in the next installment of her subseries Living Women Composers.
Music heard in this episode:
Takuma Itoh: Undercurrent
BGSU New Music Ensemble/Dietz
Joseph Dangerfield: Remnants
Ryan Fogg, piano
Troy1288
Jonathan Newman: Blow It Up, Start Again
BGSU Wind Symphony/Thompson
Marilyn Shrude: Sotto Voce
Caroline Chin, violin
Brian Snow, cello
Laura Melton, piano
Mary Kouyoumdjian: A Boy and a Makeshift Toy
Michael Hall, viola
Stephanie Titus, piano
Dai Fujikura: My Butterflies (excerpt)
BGSU Wind Symphony/Thompson
Audio Extra: Mary Kouyoumdjian introduces A Boy and a Makeshift Toy.
Listen • 3:52
Close Up with Jennifer Higdon II
Composer Libby Larsen (credit: Ann Marsden) Composer and BGSU Alumna Jennifer Higdon co-hosts this episode, which features her own works plus the second installment in her six-part subseries Living Women Composers with a profile of Libby Larsen.
Music heard in this episode:
Jennifer Higdon: All Things Majestic
Nashville Symphony/Guerrero
Naxos 8.559823
Libby Larsen: Four on the Floor
Kentucky Center Chamber Players
New Dynamic
Jennifer Higdon: On the Death of the Righteous
Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia/Harler
Innova 806
Jennifer Higdon: Loco (excerpt)
Fort Worth Symphony/Harth-Bedoya
FWSO
Audio Extra: Jennifer Higdon introduces Four on the Floor by Libby Larsen.
Listen • 2:00
Close Up with Jennifer Higdon I
Jennifer Higdon and Beau – Photo by Candace di Carlo We open season five with composer and BGSU Alumna Jennifer Higdon, who co-hosts this episode, introducing her own works plus the first installment in her six-part subseries Living Women Composers.
Music heard in this episode:
Jennifer Higdon: Flute Poetic
Jan Vinci, flute
Reiko Uchida, piano
Troy1649
Du Yun: When a Tiger Meets a Rosa Rugosa
Hilary Hahn, violin
Cory Smythe, piano
DG B0019103
Jennifer Higdon: Viola Concerto
Roberto Diaz, viola
Nashville Symphony/Guerrero
Naxos 8.559823
Audio Extra: Jennifer Higdon on how to interest the mainstream classical audience in contemporary music.
Listen • 3:43
Composer's Choice: Samuel Adler, Part Two
Composer Samuel Adler and his wife, conductor Emily Freeman Brown We conclude the fourth season of NMFBG with the second of our Composer's Choice episodes from veteran composer Samuel Adler, featuring music by two of his former students: Kevin Puts and Christopher Theofanidis.
Music heard in this episode:
Kevin Puts: Flute Concerto
Adam Walker, flute
Peabody Symphony Orchestra/Alsop
Naxos 8.559794
Christopher Theofanidis: Symphony No. 1: Movements I & IV
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra/Spano
ASO 1002
Audio Extra: Sam Adler on contemporary classical music, then and now.
Listen • 4:24
Focus On: Quince Contemporary Vocal Ensemble
Quince Ensemble by Aleksandr Karjaka (http://www.karjaka.com/) We spend the hour with the Quince Contemporary Vocal Ensemble as they introduce works from their latest recording, Hushers.
Music heard in this episode (all performances by Quince Contemporary Vocal Ensemble):
Giacinto Scelsi: Sauh III & IV
New Focus 177
Kate Soper: Songs for Nobody
New Focus 177
Warren Enström: Hushers
New Focus 177
Molly Herron: Stellar Atmospheres
Also feat. Molly Herron, The Dervishes
Kivie Kahn-Lipman, bass viol
Loren Ludwig, bass viol
Doug Balliett, violone
Quince is:
Amanda DeBoer Bartlett, soprano
Kayleigh Butcher, mezzo-soprano
Elizabeth Pearse, soprano
Carrie Henneman Shaw, soprano
Audio: Listen to the entire episode (posted with permission).
Listen • 59:00
Composer's Choice: Samuel Adler, Part One
Aaron Copland and Samuel Adler, 1962 (University of North Texas) Veteran composer and educator Samuel Adler introduces music by his former composition students Kevin Puts and Barbara Harbach.
Music heard in this episode:
Kevin Puts: Symphony No. 2
Peabody Symphony Orchestra/Alsop
Naxos 8559794
Samuel Adler: Symphony No. 6 (excerpt)
Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Serebrier
Linn 545
Barbara Harbach: Hommage from Sinfonietta
London Philharmonic Orchestra/Angus
MSR Classics 1258
Samuel Adler: Sonata No. 2 for Violin & Harpsichord (excerpt)
Charles Castleman, violin; Barbara Harbach, harpsichord
Albany Troy041
Audio Teaser: Sam Adler introduces Kevin Puts, who introduces his own Symphony No. 2.
Listen • 3:00
Composer Tracks II
Composer Nico Muhly More contemporary recordings are introduced by their respective composers, with contributions from Nico Muhly and Nadia Sirota; Jennifer Higdon, and Avner Dorman.
Music heard in this episode:
Jennifer Higdon: Percussion Concerto (version for wind ensemble)
Master Gunnery Sergeant Christopher Rose, percussion
“The President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band/ Fettig
USMB 31
Nico Muhly: Etude 1 & Etude 1a
Nadia Sirota, viola feat. Nico Muhly, keyboards
New Amsterdam Records 16
Avner Dorman: Concerto Grosso
Metropolis Ensemble/ Cyr
Naxos 8559620
Audio Teaser: Opening segment with Nadia Sirota and Jennifer Higdon.
Listen • 3:34
Composer's Choice: Marilyn Shrude
Composer Marilyn Shrude Composer and longtime BGSU faculty member Marilyn Shrude recounts the composers whose work has had a direct and profound influence on her own art.
Music heard in this episode:
Olivier Messiaen: Vingt Regards sur l’Enfant-Jesus: Regard des anges
Michel Béroff, piano
EMI Classics 76915
Witold Lutosławski: Jeux venitiens
Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra/ Wit
Naxos 8.554283
Steven Stucky: Cradle Songs: Lilajze, Jezuniu
Chanticleer
Teldec 24570
György Kurtág: Kafka Fragments (excerpts)
Tony Arnold, soprano; Movses Pogosian, violin
Bridge 9270
György Kurtág: Játékok (excerpts)
Gábor Csalog, piano; Aliz Asztalos, piano & speaking voice
BMC Records 139
Henri Dutilleux: Ainsi la nuit: Parenthese #2 & Litanies
Juilliard String Quartet
Sony Classical 52554
Marilyn Shrude: A Window Always Open on the Sea (excerpts)
Core Ensemble
New World 80559
Audio Teaser: Opening and Marilyn Shrude introduces Messiaen.
Listen • 2:57
In Performance: Fifth House Ensemble
Fifth House Ensemble (http://fifth-house.com/) Composers Stacy Garrop, Jennifer Higdon, and Dan Visconti join us for a “live in concert” performance at Bowling Green State University, featuring one of the top groups on the modern music scene, the Chicago-based Fifth House Ensemble.
Music heard in this episode (all performances by Fifth House Ensemble, recorded live in concert on October 23, 2015):
Stacy Garrop: Silver Dagger
Jennifer Higdon: Autumn Music
Dan Visconti: Low Country Haze
Stacy Garrop:Frammenti
Dan Visconti:Soundings (excerpt)
Audio Teaser: Dan Visconti introduces Low Country Haze.
Listen • 3:20
Composer Tracks I
Composer Evan Williams Composers and performers with BGSU connections join us to introduce their own recordings, with contributions from Nathan Davis, Missy Mazzoli, Evan Williams, David Lang, and Mark Bunce.
Music heard in this episode:
Nathan Davis: Like Sweet Bells Jangled
International Contemporary Ensemble
New Focus 120
Missy Mazzoli: Still Life with Avalanche
eighth blackbird
Cedille 133
Evan Williams: Heavy
Levels
(from Still, 2016 self-release)
David Lang: again (after ecclesiastes)
Theater of Voices/Hiller
Harmonia Mundi 807496
Mark Bunce: Schrödinger’s Cat
John Sampen, alto saxophone (plus electronics)
AMP Records 016
Nathan Davis: An outside with an inside in it (excerpt)
Tony Arnold, soprano
International Contemporary Ensemble
Starkland 223
Audio Teaser: Evan Williams talks about Heavy.
Listen • 3:00
Composer's Choice: Jennifer Higdon, Part Two
Kevin Puts by David White Composer and BGSU alumna Jennifer Higdon shares more of her favorite works by her colleagues Anna Clyne, Dan Visconti, and Kevin Puts.
Music heard in this episode:
Anna Clyne: Prince of Clouds
Curtis 20/21 Ensemble
Jennifer Koh & Jaime Laredo, violins
Cedille 146
Kevin Puts: Symphony No. 4, From Mission San Juan: Healing Song
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra/Alsop
Harmonia Mundi 907580
Dan Visconti: Lonesome Roads
Horszowski Trio
Bridge 9386
Jennifer Higdon: Cold Mountain: Come Back to Me (excerpt)
Isabel Leonard, soprano; Nathan Gunn, baritone
Santa Fe Opera Orchestra/Harth-Bedoya
Pentatone 5186 583
Audio Teaser: Jennifer Higdon introduces music by Kevin Puts.
Listen • 4:00
Focus On: Vicky Chow
Vicky Chow by Kaitlin Jane We spend an hour with visionary pianist and Music at the Forefront guest Vicky Chow, who takes us through her latest recording and performance projects.
Music heard in this episode:
Andy Akiho: Vick(i/y)
Vicky Chow, prepared piano
New Amsterdam NWAM 083
Molly Joyce: Rave
Vicky Chow, piano with electronics
New Amsterdam NWAM 083
Daniel Wohl: Bones
Vicky Chow, piano with electronics
New Amsterdam NWAM 083
Michael Gordon: Sonatra
Vicky Chow, piano in just intonation
Cantaloupe Digital
Audio Teaser: Vicky Chow on her "dark side" (background music: Daniel Wohl, Limbs).
Listen • 3:00
Composer’s Choice: Jennifer Higdon, Part One
Jennifer Higdon by J.D. Scott Composer and BGSU alumna Jennifer Higdon shares favorite works by her colleagues in a program which pays tribute to one of her former teachers, longtime BGSU band director Mark Kelly.
Music heard in this episode:
Joseph Schwantner: From a Dark Millennium
North Texas University Wind Ensemble/Corporon
Gia 657
Joel Puckett: The Shadow of Sirius: Into the Cloud
Amy Porter, flute
University of Michigan Symphony Band/Haithcock
Equilibrium 100
Jennifer Higdon: Fanfare Ritmico
BGSU Wind Symphony/Moss
Kristin Kuster: Two Jades
Xiang Gao, violin
University of Michigan Symphony Band/Haithcock
Equilibrium 100
Audio Teaser: Jennifer Higdon introduces Schwantner's From a Dark Millennium.
Listen • 2:00
Focus On: Evan Chambers
Evan Chambers by Brad Cresswell University of Michigan composer and BGSU alumnus Evan Chambers takes us a personal tour of his extraordinary cantata "The Old Burying Ground" – a setting of simple yet powerful texts taken from old epitaphs, which are paired with modern poems.
Music heard in this episode:
Evan Chambers: selections from The Old Burying Ground
Introduction/And Pass From Hence Away
Nancy Eliza/Pompeii/Emma
O Say Grim Death
A Bar So Pure/Uncut Grass/O Drop On My Grave
Paths of Peace
University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra/Kiesler
Tim Eriksen, folksinger; Nicholas Phan, tenor; Anne-Carolyn Bird, soprano
Dorian Sono Luminus 92113
Audio: Listen to the entire episode (posted with permission).
Listen • 59:00
Festival Roundup
Carolina Heredia by Michael Black We hear "live in concert" performances from the 36th annual New Music Festival at Bowling Green State University.
Music heard in this episode:
Carolina Heredia: Déjate Caer
Caroline Chin, violin with electronics
Aaron Travers: Concierto de Milonga (world premiere)
Solungga Fang-Tzu Liu, piano
BGSU New Music Ensemble/Dietz
Jennifer Higdon: O magnum mysterium
BGSU Collegiate Chorale/Cloeter
Charles Gibb and Gabriel Gutierrez, flutes
Sam Fronk, percussion
Jennifer Higdon: Splendid Wood
BGSU Marimba Ensemble/Schupp
Audio Teaser: Carolina Heredia and Déjate Caer.
Listen • 9:27
Focus On: Caleb Burhans
Caleb Burhans by Timothy Saccenti We open season four by spending the hour with composer, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Caleb Burhans as he shares his music.
Music heard in this episode (all composed by Caleb Burhans):
No
Roomful of Teeth
New Amsterdam 041
The Things Left Unsaid
Tarab Cello Ensemble
Cantaloupe 21094
Excelsior
Fifth House Ensemble
Cedille 148
Audio Teaser: Caleb Burhans introduction.
Listen • 1:05