Henningmusick

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Mon Sep 30, 2013 7:44 am

Bringing on Plan B . . . new program for 8 Oct at King's Chapel:

Zen on the Wing, Op.114 № 2 (première)
Peter H Bloom, flute
kh, clarinet

The Angel Who Bears a Flaming Sword, Op.94a
Peter H Bloom, alto flute

Irreplaceable Doodles, Op.89
kh, clarinet

Après-mystère, Op.113 № 2 (première)
Peter H Bloom, flute
kh, clarinet

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Wed Oct 09, 2013 6:36 am

karlhenning wrote:Bringing on Plan B . . . new program for 8 Oct at King's Chapel:

Zen on the Wing, Op.114 № 2 (première)
Peter H Bloom, flute
kh, clarinet

The Angel Who Bears a Flaming Sword, Op.94a
Peter H Bloom, alto flute

Irreplaceable Doodles, Op.89
kh, clarinet

Après-mystère, Op.113 № 2 (première)
Peter H Bloom, flute
kh, clarinet

Couldn't make it to Boston yesterday? Never fear: audio can be listened to at Instant Encore.

If you like what you hear, please consider becoming a Fan on Instant Encore (and not only "my" Fan, but a Fan of Peter H Bloom's, a fine, multi-talented, hard-working musician here in Boston).

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Tue Oct 15, 2013 5:15 am

Well, and there I am.

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Mon Nov 18, 2013 9:30 am

(* clears the cobwebs *)

Started work on a violin-&-harpsichord piece last night.

Cheers,
~Karl

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 2:35 pm

karlhenning wrote:(* clears the cobwebs *)

Started work on a violin-&-harpsichord piece last night.

Cheers,
~Karl

I wish you every success with it Karl.

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Tue Nov 19, 2013 2:53 pm

Thanks, Seán! This is my buddy Paul Cienniwa, who most gratifyingly makes a regular effort to arrange to perform some piece or other of mine. I don't know just when he and the violinist may play again, but sooner or later, they'll put my piece on.

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 10:41 am

All right, here's the latest news, all in a bundle:

For a band director at one of the SUNY schools, I've arranged Intermezzo I from the ballet-in-progress (if it be apt to speak of a piece I have not worked on in some few years as being in progress) White Nights for saxophone choir (twelve parts) [15 Dec 2013]

Essentially finished the violin-&-harpsichord piece, Plotting (y is the new x) (apart from some corrigenda helpfully suggested by the violinist, who is enthusiastic for the piece) [19 Dec 2013]

Finished the new piece for percussion ensemble (ten players), My Island Home [21 Dec 2013]

And I am roughly half-finished with the quartet Jazz for Nostalgic Squirrels.

As part of the Lessons & Carols tomorrow night, I shall play my Sonatina sopra « Veni, Emmanuel »

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 10:42 am

The heart of Plotting is a 40-variation passacaglia of which I am particularly proud.

Cheers,
~Karl

John F · Post by **John F** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 11:02 am

If a recording is made of "Plotting," could you share it with us? I'd be interested to have a listen.

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Mon Dec 23, 2013 2:06 pm

Happy to, John.

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Sun Dec 29, 2013 4:00 pm

Well, and what may ultimately prove to be time spent uselessly ; ) . . . there is a call for scores for a quartet, and I have taken a piece from three years ago, originally written for bass clarinet and percussion, and expanded it for the quartet who are asking (bass clarinet, percussion [two players], piano).

It could just be that I am accustomed to the heat in the kitchen . . . but it seems to me that the piece works well in both guises.

The deadline for the submission was not until February, so I am way ahead of the game . . . decision won't be published until near the end of March.

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 9:21 am

In general, indeed, the weekend just past was The Weekend of Arranging. Before seeing to the new quartet version of Angular Whimsies (Heavy Paint Manipulation) [Op.100a], my first work Saturday morning was to arrange Moonrise, Op.84, originally composed as a brass quintet (two flugelhorns, horn in F, trombone, tuba) for flute choir in six parts.

Those tasks done, I can now train my attention back upon Jazz for Nostalgic Squirrels . . . .

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Tue Dec 31, 2013 8:28 pm

The year in Henningmusick.

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Thu Jan 02, 2014 9:22 am

It's a piece I started last year, so this is no gargantuan accomplishment. But I have completed the first composition of 2014 Jazz for Nostalgic Squirrels, Op.117 for flute, clarinet in A, guitar & contrabass.

(Yes, I'm checking with the guitarist to make certain I haven't asked for the impossible.)

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 8:55 am

And I thought I would start the year off by writing for some instruments I never have, before . . . so last night, I finished a short (5') piece for shakuhachi, handbell choir and tenor drum, taking its title from a verse in the Book of Job: When the morning stars sang together, and the sons of God shouted for joy.

We'll start rehearsing the bells after church this Sunday.

Cheers,
~Karl

PS/ I've shared the sound-file of the MIDI with you via Drive, Seán . . . .

John F · Post by **John F** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 10:31 am

Shaku-what?

Never heard of it so I resorted to Google, and the first hit says, "The Shakuhachi girl is a sleek-limbed supergirl, as unashamedly 90's as giant blow-wave hair, jangling gold earrings or a perfectly placed beauty spot." Assuming this isn't what you meant, I went on to the next hit, which is "a Japanese end-blown flute." The ensemble should make a lovely sound.

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Wed Jan 08, 2014 10:44 am

Your assumption was sound, John : )

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Thu Jan 09, 2014 1:57 pm

And, back at the blog . . . .

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Wed Feb 05, 2014 9:06 am

Okay, two bits of news:

Four of us composers in the area have formed a sort of composer-performer collective, called The 9th Ear, and this weekend past we played two concerts, which closed with my own Jazz for Nostalgic Squirrels.

And a colleague in southern New Hampshire who has a weekly radio show has invited me to go into the studio this coming Sunday (9 Feb), so for anyone interested there will be Henningmusick on the air at (I believe, and I shall confirm or emend this) 15:00 Chowder Time: http://tunein.com/radio/WSMN-1590-s22877/

And, aye, they stream on-line.

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Tue Mar 11, 2014 2:50 pm

It is almost exactly four years ago that I loaded this video onto YouTube. I had practically forgotten about it (the video being on YouTube), we might say . . . chancing upon it on YouTube this afternoon, my jaw fell at the revelation that it has been viewed 350+ times . . . .

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Fri Mar 14, 2014 11:34 am

Friday March 14th, 8pm/ $10. suggested donation
-Advent Library Concert Series-

D’Anna Fortunato, mezzo soprano
Peter H. Bloom, alto flute and baritone sax

Vowels for Mezzo-soprano and Alto Flute
by Daniel Pinkham {text Anonymous}
Toward Myself for Mezzo-soprano and Flute
by Matt Samolis text by Leah Goldberg trans. By Robert Friend
The Crystalline Ship for Mezzo-soprano and Baritone Saxophone
by Karl Henning text by Leo Schulte

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Sat Mar 15, 2014 10:35 am

Very pleased with how The Crystalline Ship went last night. (The performers themselves would say they want to do it better, but they carried it off most musically, and the composer is well content.)

The mp3 is a scant 5mb, so if your e-mail will receive a message with a 5mb attachment, and you wish to have a listen, please advise, either on this thread or via PM (or by e-mail, those of you who have my address).

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 1:03 pm

EmmaLee Homes Hicks and Paul Cienniwa rehearsed Plotting (y is the new x) together for the first time today. (They meant to rehearse Friday, but Em was feeling poorly.) Paul tweets: What a wonderful piece! Everything comes together really well.

The première is this Saturday evening, at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Newport, Rhode Island. They will also play it as Prelude to the Sunday morning service at First Church in Boston. So I should have one (and possible two) recording(s).

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 8:23 am

Yesterday saw Henningmusick's first foray with handbells.

When the morning stars sang together, and the sons of God shouted for joy, Op.118 № 1 for shakuhachi (traditional Japanese bamboo flute, played by fellow composer Charles Turner), handbells and drum:

Divinum mysterium, Op.118 № 2, the traditional plainchant arranged for unison choir and handbells:

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Wed Mar 26, 2014 12:07 pm

And: an interview of sorts on a fellow composer's blog.

Cheers,
~Karl

Seán · Post by **Seán** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 6:08 pm

karlhenning wrote:And: an interview of sorts on a fellow composer's blog.

Cheers,
~Karl

Karl, I enjoyed reading the interview, thank you.

IcedNote · Post by **IcedNote** » Sun Mar 30, 2014 11:19 pm

Yes, nice interview!

-G

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Mon Mar 31, 2014 11:49 am

Thanks, gents!

Cheers,
~k.

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Tue Apr 01, 2014 9:48 pm

John F wrote:If a recording is made of "Plotting," could you share it with us? I'd be interested to have a listen.

And here we are:

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Thu Apr 03, 2014 8:14 am

Have you had a listen, John? (Len, any interest?)

What do you think?

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Sat Apr 05, 2014 6:58 pm

Nicodemus brings myrrh & aloes for the burial of the Christ, Op.85 № 4
Recorded at the Rivers School Conservatory, Weston, Mass.
4 April 2014

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Wed Apr 16, 2014 5:16 am

From yesterday's concert, the trio:

And the quartet:

Happy listening!

Cheers,
~k.

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Fri Apr 18, 2014 10:07 am

Earlier this year, Heinrich Christensen (music director at Boston's King's Chapel) wrote to say that he was having his choir sing divers settings of "For God so loved the world" through Lent, and he made me welcome to send/write one of my own.

I started a couple of sketches of an original piece, but I didn't like them. (Nice to know that I can still write stuff which I feel almost immediately like tossing out ; )

So, I wound up re-texting a Nunc dimittis I had written for an Evensong at St Paul's some years ago. Heinrich's choir sang it as part of their 6 April service.

kh: For God so loved the world

Cheers,
~k.

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Sat May 31, 2014 5:52 pm

I wish the performance had been a bit better, but it is still quite good:

Cheers,
~k.

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Tue Jun 03, 2014 11:42 am

The 9th Ear have broken onto boston.com, baby!

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Thu Jun 05, 2014 5:13 am

And, for those of you on Facebook, here are the events for our imminent concerts:

Friday in Somerville, Mass.

Saturday in Danvers, Mass.

Cheers,
~k.

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Sun Jun 08, 2014 8:07 pm

From Friday, a better go at Thoreau in Concord Jail:

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 8:22 am

Listening again; I feel I can play it better (though I do have a fairly strong impression that Friday's performance is a good improvement, in more ways than one, on the inaugural Jail). I had a great time playing the space, which is agreeably live; and I am pleased that some of the space comes through on the recording. There is the occasional sonic intrusion from the street; but honestly, true to the subject of the piece, I welcome the external counterpoint.

Whew! No surprise, I can hear how rushed I was in the original King's Chapel performance . . . no question, I was pressing to make sure the piece was an interesting listen. The acoustic is much drier, of course (lots of irregular surfaces in the space to absorb/diffuse sound). I am playing better, now, though I do need to phase in a new reed.

I've not yet transferred the audio from the MicroTrak to the PC for the Saturday concert. But: both I see people walking about like trees and Le tombeau went much better on Saturday than on Friday. I am probably to blame. Well, in one instance, I am definitely to blame: I gaffed my own note in measure 2 of Le tombeau! I could give lessons in The Stupid!

But what I meant by my share of the blame is: Although I largely felt that I had the energy for Friday's show (and my chops endured well), I didn't realize the degree to which I had lacked energy, until I went in to Saturday's concert, after a completely relaxed day dawdling around Plum Island with my family. (Where Friday, of course, I had put in eight hours working for the office.) And because I had so much store of energy for the Saturday show, I think that fed my fellow musicians, and all of the ensemble pieces went much better.

Now, my MicroTrak was not going to be able to record the entirety of both concerts. So on Friday, it ran out of juice in the middle of How to Tell (I shall listen to that "trunk" of the piece, just to see how things sounded for that go . . . and who knows? There may be something usable). My solution for Saturday was, since I had to pare back so radically, I didn't bother recording Thoreau. I am sure Charles did record it, though, so if he furnishes that recording, I shall listen, just out of curiosity.

I am fixin' to have Saturday's performances of both quartets, and of the trio, available for listening sometime tonight. Tomorrow night at latest.

(I know, I know: hardly anyone here gives a damn ; )

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Tue Jun 10, 2014 8:19 am

Best go yet at How to Tell (Chasing the Tail of Nothing), Op. 103 for alto flute, clarinet & frame drum:

https://soundcloud.com/9th-ear/karl-hen ... -7-june-14

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Wed Jun 11, 2014 4:38 am

And the début of Le tombeau de W.A.G., Op. 122a for alto flute, clarinet, double-bass & frame drum:

https://soundcloud.com/9th-ear/karl-hen ... wag-op122a

I wrote the piece originally for brass trio, but the bass trombonist told me Don't quit your day job. The remark was rude and unperceptive, and as such rolled right off my back. The disappointment lay in the fact that (although no time recently) we had worked together on probably half a dozen occasions, and any fellow professional would agree that I deserved better than that.

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Tue Jun 24, 2014 5:18 am

This week is the AGO convention here in Boston. The motet I wrote for the First Church Choir, Love is the Spirit, is part of two services this week, Wednesday and Thursday. We've managed to get the Lux Nova imprint of the Organ Sonata ready for sale at the venue.

(I know, I know: hardly anyone here gives a damn ; )

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Fri Jul 18, 2014 6:31 am

Okay, all the news (apart from an actual start on the Rossini collage for Scene 8) is clarinet and organ. I’ve got my clarinet packed for travel, heading to Fall River after work; Paul C. & I shall play my Prelude on « Kremser » — which I actually composed for trumpet & organ, but which has actually mostly been performed by myself on clarinet in A — this Sunday.

And Carson Cooman (whom you remember from his YouTube recording of the Fancy on Psalm 80 from the Scottish Psalter) sent me a reminder e-mail message yesterday. He had asked me erewhile if I would adapt the Canzona & Gigue, Op.77 (cl/org) for organ solo. In essence, if I get this to him, it will be in his performance rotation this coming church year. “Absolutely,” I assured him.

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Sat Aug 09, 2014 7:53 pm

Activity this week:

Finished the Sibelius edition of a score I had originally prepared in Finale, Night of the Weeping Crocodiles, Op.16 for cl/vn/pf.

That done earlier today, I then prepared the arrangement of the piece for clarinet, percussion & piano . . . mallets, of course . . . about 45% vibraphone, 45% marimba, and 10% Glockenspiel. Finished Night of the Weeping Crocodiles, Op.16a late this afternoon.

Got back to work on a new vc/pf piece for Kirstin Seitz Peltz, ... illa existimans quia hortulanus esset ...., Op.121. I don't think it will be a long piece, perhaps seven minutes in duration.

Cheers,
~k.

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Tue Sep 02, 2014 10:44 am

karlhenning wrote:Activity this week:

[ snip ]

Got back to work on a new vc/pf piece for Kirstin Seitz Peltz, ... illa existimans quia hortulanus esset ...., Op.121. I don't think it will be a long piece, perhaps seven minutes in duration.

Actually, I finished this later that day, and it runs about eight minutes.

Anyone here at CMG in Atlanta? I am going south to take part in a concert at Reinhardt University. Their Percussion Ensemble will play a piece I wrote expressly for them, My Island Home; and I shall play a couple of my chamber works which include clarinet.

Cheers,
~k.

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Thu Sep 04, 2014 4:18 am

Tue 7 Oct
12:15
The k a rl h e nn i ng Ensemble
with Special Guest Evelyn Griffin, soprano

Music of Karl Henning

The Mystic Trumpeter, Op.113 № 1 (text by Walt Whitman), première
Après-mystère, Op.113 № 2

Evelyn Griffin, soprano
Peter H. Bloom, piccolo
Karl Henning, clarinet

King's Chapel
Tremont & School Streets, Boston

Voluntary donation

Cheers,
~k.

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Wed Oct 29, 2014 9:48 am

Okay, the second concert date in Atlanta (Wed, 12 Nov) is firming up.

The composer is not expecting any protesters.

Cheers,
~k.

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Mon Nov 03, 2014 7:51 am

Again, mine is but a musically modest outfit (they're no Tanglewood Festival Chorus).

And it is not my arrangement, save for the handbells alone.

That said, I was pleased with how my folks did a week ago:

Cheers,
~Karl

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Tue Nov 04, 2014 7:58 am

Around other (more pressing, as a rule) compositional tasks, I've been working on a set of (probably) five short trios for 2 violins and viola, Tiny Wild Avocadoes. The idea was that each piece should cover two pages, and the players all read from score.

The string player (also a conductor) of my acquaintance for whom I am writing them has approved the two which are presently completely, with hearty words. They are planning to include them in a short, informal-ish concert next week; I have mp3 files of their rehearsal of the pieces yesterday, which I can share with anyone who may be interested.

Cheers,
~k.

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Sat Nov 08, 2014 5:56 am

Flying to Atlanta this morning; playing some of my own music as part of two concerts, one on Tuesday the 11th, t'other on Wednesday the 12th.

Word (still tentative) is that there is a chance the Thursday ASO concert will go on; there's not much chance that the RVW Sea Symphony could be anything like ready then, so even if there is a concert, I do not know what the program will be.

Will report.

Cheers,
~k.

karlhenning · Post by **karlhenning** » Sun Nov 09, 2014 9:02 am

And all the details....

Tue 11 Nov
7:30 pm
University of Reinhardt (Waleska)
Falany Performing Arts Center
Free Admission

My two works on the program will be:

My Island Home for percussion ensemble (ten players), composed for this group -- première
Mirage, arranged for clarinet, vibes & piano

Wed 12 Nov
8:00 pm
Eyedrum Art & Music Gallery
88 Forsyth Street SW
Suggested donation: $5

My three works on the program will be:

Irreplaceable Doodles (clarinet unaccompanied)
Thoreau in Concord Jail (clarinet unaccompanied)
just what everyone was expecting (clarinet and marimba) -- première

Cheers,
~k.

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