FIRE (2020) – Brian Field (United States)
I composed FIRE, for piano solo, as a reflection on the forest fires raging across California and the American West on a recurring, and increasingly alarming basis.
The work starts with a “spark,” that flickers and quickly spreads, growing more complicated. The fire begins to rage loudly, and across register, building to a climax which eventually becomes more controlled, as it burns itself out and dies.
Ann adds: What I enjoy about this piece is both the motoric, toccata-like nature, and the programmatic element—the listener can hear the spark that begins and the incendiary growth.
Brian Field’s music is an eclectic fusion of lyricism and driving rhythm that brings together elements of post-romanticism, minimalism and jazz. He has received a host of awards, including the RMN Classical recording prize, the Benenti Foundation recording prize; the Alvarez Chamber Orchestra Mullord Award; First Prize, Briar Cliff Choral Music Competition; and First Prize, Victor Herbert ASCAP Young Composers’ Contest among many others.
Mr. Field began his musical endeavors at age eight with the study of piano, and began his first serious compositional efforts at sixteen, earning his undergraduate degree in music and English literature from Connecticut College, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa. At Connecticut, he studied composition with Noel Zahler, piano with the Polish pedagogue Zosia Jacynowicz, organ with John Anthony, and harpsichord/figured-bass realization with Linda Skernick. Devoting himself to composition, Mr. Field continued his musical studies at the Juilliard School in New York City where he was awarded his Master of Music degree. At Juilliard he was a student of Milton Babbitt. From Juilliard, Mr. Field attended Columbia University, earning his Doctorate. At Columbia, he was a President’s Fellow and studied composition with George Edwards and Mario Davidovsky.
Mr. Field’s musical works include music for television and stage; solo acoustic, chamber, ballet, choral, electroacoustic and orchestral works. His compositions have been performed throughout the United States and internationally and are recorded on RMN Classical, Parma Recordings and Ablaze Records.
Ann DuHamel 