Composer of the Day!

Today's (sad) Composer of the Day! is Joe Maneri (1927-2009)

R.I.P., Joe.

Website here; obituary here.

Also, this.

Composer of the Day!

Today's Composer of the Day is Lee Hyla.

(b. 1952)

Hyla was a longtime faculty member at the New England Conservatory of Music, and now holds the chair of the composition department at Northwestern University.

Hyla tends to write scrappy, virtuostic music for both chamber groups and large ensembles. He is oft-performed and -commissioned, as well as -awarded. While challenging, his music has broad appeal, due in part (in my opinion) to his energetic, if complex, music with rhythmic drive and long, lean lines.

My meager descriptions do little justice. Try this or this on for size.

If that wasn't enough, Hyla (in my day) was often seen sporting a Boston Red Sox cap. Which is awesome.

You should listen to his music.
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