Steve Schwartz wrote:

>A gaucho in Krakow

I'm interested to hear others' comments about this newly hot composer.
I had already bought his "St. Mark's Passion" CD, a piece commissioned
by the Millennium 2000 group, along with commissions for 3 other composers
to write passions in honor of Bach and the Millennium, as I understand
it.  Then Stanford announced they were doing the Golijov Passion in what
I think would be the US premiere.  We saw it with two other couples last
night, and all agreed it was a stupendous concert, with music that was
a combination of classical and jazz samba that was hauntingly beautiful
in places and thrilling throughout.  Seventy five singers on stage, along
with a couple of dancers representing Jesus and the Romans.  I also
happened to see a live performance of the "Last Round" piece on the album
while in New York on vacation just a couple weeks ago.  Again, I found
his music to be very engaging and enjoyable.  So I second the recommendation
to get familiar with this quite astonishing young composer, who came on
stage at the end of the concert last night to receive his bouquet and a
standing ovation that I believe was not pro-forma and fully justified.
The audience was enthralled throughout, and I have to say, they must
have spent a lot of time rehearsing this complex piece, because I didn't
detect one miscue, despite its 110 minute length without intermission
and the tremendous complexity as well as the demands upon the singers
to for example, clap together in a complex rhythm in one section, and
upon various other musicians who had to move to different instruments
from time to time.  A compelling and convincing performance, I felt.

Dave Wolf
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