Oberlin

Stephen Hartke Receives Premieres for Two Concerti

January 11, 2019 -

The Riverside Symphony and pianist Xak Bjerken, under the baton of George Rothman, gave the New York premiere of Stephen Hartke's Concerto for Piano and 20 players, Ship of State, on 11/16/2018, the fourth performance since the World Premiere. On December 12, 2018, his cello concerto Da Pacem received its premiere at Oberlin under the baton of Robert Spano with cellist Darrett Adkins. This issue includes these and other recent highlights for the composer.

NY Times Praises Stephen Hartke Album and a Tale of Two Concertos

March 5, 2018 -

Stephen Hartke has been hailed as ”one of the most distinctive and important living composers” by The New York Times.

His album, "The Ascent of the Equestrian in a Balloon," recorded by the Boston Modern Orchestra Project with conductor Gil Rose, was voted one of the “Best Classical Music” recordings in 2017 by The New York Times.

Hear the title work here.

SHIP OF STATE, Chamber Concerto for Piano and 20 Instruments by Stephen Hartke will receive its premiere on March 9, with Xak Bjerken, piano and the Oberlin Sinfonietta, Tim Weiss, conductor. Additional performances will follow on April 11, with the University of Southern California Thornton Edge Ensemble, Donald Crockett, conductor; and on April 15, given by Ensemble X, led by Tim Weiss. This performance is the first of two concertos by Hartke to receive its premiere this year.