In Friday’s (5/7) Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Mark Kanny writes, “Composer Richard Danielpour was a happy man after the dress rehearsal for the first Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performance of his new symphony, ‘Rocking the Cradle.’ … Pittsburgh was a center of Danielpour’s life during the 2009-10 season. As the symphony’s composer of the year, he came to Heinz Hall for four weekends of concerts that included his music. Included was the October world premiere of his beautiful song cycle ‘A Woman’s Life.’ In addition to speaking to audiences at Heinz Hall, Danielpour gave lectures and master classes at regional universities. As much as [Pittsburgh Symphony Music Director Manfred] Honeck values the great composers of the past, he sees new music from composers such as Danielpour as an essential part of a healthy musical diet. … Danielpour’s residency deepened an ongoing relationship with the orchestra that includes a brilliant 1996 Sony Classical recording of his music conducted by David Zinman. ‘The more I’ve gotten to know the Pittsburgh Symphony, the more I felt respect and admiration,’ Danielpour says. ‘I think I got the full whammy … because they play in a very particular way for their music director. You can tell they are present with him in a wonderful way.’ ”
Posted May 10, 2010
