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I've commissioned a new work from American Composer Philip Glass--It's called Partita for Solo Violin, in seven movements. The piece is almost completed and so far, I think it's really some of his best writing--so dark, lyrical, and melodic. The piece will have its US premiere in New York City at Symphony Space as part of Glass Portals.

Glass Portals:
A full length, multi-media evening featuring the premiere of "Partita for Solo Violin," by Philip Glass - based on Book of Longing. In an onstage dialogue that interweaves video, electronics and dance with music, Glass Portals is an exploration of the human longing for connection in the digital age, guiding us through the failures and triumphs of new portals of relationship, our corporeal and electronic present and future. The new work for Fain is the evening's centerpiece, embraced by existing pieces by Aaron Jay Kernis, Nico Muhly and Kevin Puts, and includes spoken word - the poetry of Leonard Cohen and other contemporary American writers - and choreography by Benjamin Millepied.

A little History:
A few years back, I worked with Philip in a show called Book of Longing which was a song cycle he composed to the poetry of canadian singer/songwriter Leonard Cohen. There was this moment where the violin took center stage and I played this really fast and crazy little movement, which only lasted a couple of minutes, but made a big impression on me. Before this, Philip hadnt really even written much for violin, and here was this totally intense 2 minute piece that sounded like J.S. Bach played backwards! I kept coming off stage thinking 'that was so cool.....but I want a whole piece!'

"Composing is really a two part process," he once told me. "First I write down all of the notes,"--often he'll send me a score by email--and then what follows, the second stage, as composer and performer meet to perfect and fine tune the score: we'll often meet down at his studio and work phrase by phrase until we're both happy, and the music is in its final completed form.

There's a real intensity and urgency about everything Philip does--It's staggering how much music he writes--he's probably one of the most prolific composers I know. He told me once that he really doesnt sleep all that much....I wonder if that has something to do with it!

.....

Goldin wrote:http://vimeo.com/24196921 (clip)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3eF2rrnGjw (live performance)

An Interview with Tim Fain, Violinist from Black Swan
UNTAPPED NEW YORK
February 10, 2011
by michelle young



(in part: asking about Philip Glass)

Michelle:
Do you have any good stories from your tours with Philip?

Tim:
He loves telling stories about the old days—Einstein on the beach, driving a cab in New York City…he’s a lot of fun. A few years ago we worked together on this project called “Book of Longing,” which was a song cycle that Philip had written to the poetry of Leonard Cohen. We were on the road and had just played a concert in Stanford. I got off the bus at the hotel and there was Leonard standing right there. He’d just gotten off the bus himself and he offered to take my violin for me so I could grab my suitcase. So it was Leonard Cohen, carrying my violin for me—I just couldn’t believe it. He’d always been such an inspiration, and I was quite touched. Such a kind, unassuming soul with such a deep artistic vision.

Portals: A Multi-Media Exploration of Longing in the Digital Age

"Fain's tone is dark yet athletic; he plays a mean violin...a performer with a burgeoning career" -The New York Times

It's a rare treat to experience a Philip Glass premiere, especially as performed by rising star violinist Tim Fain. This multi-media evening features Glass's new Partita for Solo Violin, pianist Nicholas Britell, a film choreographed and directed by Black Swan's Benjamin Millepied, the music of Pulitzer Prize winners Aaron Jay Kernis and William Bolcom, celebrated composers Nico Muhly, Kevin Puts, and Lev Zhurbin, and the genre-bending Laura Karpman, all interwoven with films by Kate Hackett and the words of Leonard Cohen.

...the poetry of Leonard Cohen spoken by Performance Today host Fred Child.

...this piece brings together spoken word and poetry of Leonard Cohen

rike wrote:Just saw your post, Arlene, and acted on it. I'll come by and say hello to you at the Santa Monica concert.
Best,
Rike

bridger15 wrote: Do you have any good stories from your tours with Philip?

Tim:
A few years ago we worked together on this project called “Book of Longing,” which was a song cycle that Philip had written to the poetry of Leonard Cohen. We were on the road and had just played a concert in Stanford. I got off the bus at the hotel and there was Leonard standing right there. He’d just gotten off the bus himself and he offered to take my violin for me so I could grab my suitcase. So it was Leonard Cohen, carrying my violin for me—I just couldn’t believe it. He’d always been such an inspiration, and I was quite touched. Such a kind, unassuming soul with such a deep artistic vision.

PORTALS Official Trailer

PORTALS: a live multimedia exploration of longing and connection in the digital age with violinist Tim Fain, Nicholas Britell, Philip Glass, Benjamin Millepied, Kate Hackett, Leonard Cohen, Fred Child, etc. World Premiere Tour kicks off in NYC at Symphony Space on September 24, 2011. For more info visit portalsproject dot com on the web.