Rollercoaster Career, Gratefulness
One aspect about being a composer (and probably just being “an Artist” in general) that is not really articulated in classrooms, on social media, and in private lessons (at least not for me) is the intensity of the highs and lows that can be experienced within a relatively short amount of time. As a composer/performer, I imagine that my highs and lows are doubled because throughout my season, I will at times focus blindly on composing and then at times I will forget I’m a composer altogether so I can practice and shape a performance experience. At times I am forced to do both, which challenges me mentally, physically, psychologically, and emotionally. For example, in one week I could be working on a new piece, attending a world premiere of one of my pieces, and performing a piece of my own and/or works by other composers.
Last month, this happened! After a relatively concentrated period of 2 months composing (with a light performance gig and some lighter events where my music was programmed), I was thrust into a crazy busy period that was only made crazier and more joyous with hosting friends and family from out of town! They came to see my debut with the FULL Louisville Orchestra – the world premiere of Ev’ry Time I Blink. Both performances went tremendously well! The energy from the audience was celestial, and Teddy and orchestra breathed such life into my little notes! I was OVER THE MOON excited, and even more elated that I had such a great group of friends and family to share the experience! And on top of that, being programmed alongside the incredible works by Chelsea Komschlies and Lisa Bielawa … what an honor! This is a moment I will treasure forever, and I am so looking forward to the next performances with the orchestra!
(Before I continue, I also want to highlight that during these past four weeks, I’ve had works performed by a number of wonderful soloists and individuals. These include: 1) guitarist Aaron Larget-Caplan, 2) clarinetist Christopher Nichols and pianist Matthew Brower, who performed my piece Be Still My Child eight times!, and 3) and over 70 string students of all levels from Louisville’s own Lincoln Performing Arts School, Noe Middle School, Western Middle School for the Arts, and the Youth Performing Arts School, who – conducted by Gabriella Batista – performed my arrangement of Peace Like a River with much enthusiasm!)
The next morning after the Louisville Orchestra Saturday night performance, I took 5 flights and a 2 hour train ride and ended up in Köln (Cologne), Germany, where I was a featured artist in the “Composing While Black and Queer” conference. It was here that I performed my piece Connections with the new music ensemble of the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln. The performance was a great success, and the ensemble did such a fantastic job! One rather interesting moment, however, was that one of the lectures given by the musicology students focused on an experimental baritone named William Pearson. As I was listening to this lecture (in German), some words were more familiar than others: Louisville, Kentucky. Pearson studied at the University of Louisville! I could hardly believe it! I traveled for 35 hours, and Louisville was still with me!
I’m grateful for these performances, for my time in Germany, for my upcoming debut at the Wien Modern festival (sadly I won’t be there), for my family and husband with whom I’ll soon dine for Thanksgiving, but moreover – I’m SO grateful for Louisville giving me so much more than I could ever have imagined!
-Anthony R. Green, Active Creator in Residence