aix (“waters”), for two pianos, is a short study in rising and falling patterns, with alternating chordal and canonic textures. It’s a slightly unsettled lullaby, composed on “04 04 04” (April 4, 2004, the 36th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.). The primary melodic shape, an ascending seventh followed by a descending… Continue reading 2004+20 aix
Category: Toronto
Ann Southam Interview Fragment
In August 1999, while I was co-hosting Radio Music Gallery, I was fortunate to have composer Ann Southam (1937-2010) as a guest. It was optional content for the show, unrelated to promoting the concert calendar at The Music Gallery, but more than relevant to the focus of the organization in those years. Early on a Friday morning,… Continue reading Ann Southam Interview Fragment
ex tempore World Premiere
On Thursday, February 1, 2024, as part of New Encounters, the Array Ensemble will give the premiere performance of my new work ex tempore (ik’stempəri – out of the moment / out of time / at the time / from time), for flute, clarinet, percussion, violin, and cello. The piece is dedicated to the memory… Continue reading ex tempore World Premiere
ex harmonia World Premiere
On April 20 and 22, 2023 as part of Four New Works, the Array Ensemble premieres ex harmonia, in memoriam to my former teacher, the late James Tenney. There have been a few big firsts for me as a re-emerged composer in the past three years, and this is perhaps the one closest to my… Continue reading ex harmonia World Premiere
2012+10 Fourths + Fifths
“Fourths + Fifths” is the first of three movements from Kenza (2012), and the fourth movement in the cycle of nine in Children’s Suite (2007-2014). It was composed the year my second child Kenza was born. Like all the other movements in the suite, it’s written entirely on the white keys of the piano, in pandiatonic C… Continue reading 2012+10 Fourths + Fifths
2007+15 A New Day
“A New Day” is the final of three movements from Remi (2007), and the third in a cycle of nine in Children’s Suite (2007-2014). It was composed the year my oldest child Remi was born. Like all the other movements in the suite, it is written entirely on the white keys of the piano, in pandiatonic… Continue reading 2007+15 A New Day
World Premiere: in the sea of being
On Thursday, June 23, Thin Edge New Music Collective will give the world premiere of my sextet in the sea of being as part of the inaugural edition of Reverb, at 918 Bathurst Centre for Culture, Arts, Media and Education, in Toronto. I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to work with TENMC, whom I’ve long… Continue reading World Premiere: in the sea of being
World Premiere: Dream of a Blue Elf
On Saturday, February 19, 2022, pianist Stephen Clarke of the Array Ensemble will present the world premiere of my solo piano work Dream of a Blue Elf (2007), as part of the prerecorded and livestreamed program “Premieres.” Event details and a link to purchase a ticket (CAD$25 or pay what you want) can be found… Continue reading World Premiere: Dream of a Blue Elf
Companion
Companion (2019) was composed through late 2018 and early 2019, while the first pencil sketches date to 2011. It is dedicated to my two youngest children. All of the material derives from seven-note rows: orderings of the pitches of the diatonic scale. The harmony resembles traditional tonality heard through a pandiatonic filter. There are four… Continue reading Companion
we have lived before – Gryphon Trio Premiere
On Friday, July 16, 2021, Gryphon Trio will premiere my three-movement work for piano trio we have lived before (2021), as part of Toronto Summer Music. The virtual concert is free as is the entire festival. The title of this work is taken from an Earthseed verse in Octavia E. Butler’s novel Parable of the… Continue reading we have lived before – Gryphon Trio Premiere
EL MAHBOOB 