Composition Faculty

Joanne Metcalf
Associate Professor of Music
Co-Chair for Composition
joanne.metcalf@lawrence.edu
biography | www.joannemetcalf.com

“Io sono amore angelico” is the sixth movement of Il nome del bel fior (“The name of the fair flower”), a work for ten solo voices that I composed for the Hilliard Ensemble and Singer Pur. The Italian text is from Dante’s Paradiso, in which the poet tells of his journey to the inner circles of heaven. Although I’ve written a number of pieces of music since I completed this one, it is still one of my favorites. This recording is from the CD Rihm, Sciarrino, Moody, Metcalf.

“A phantom shape against a phantom sky” is from Doom-begotten Music, a large orchestral song cycle on text from Edwin Arlington Robinson’s epic Tristram. I tried to capture in music the poet’s meditative reflections on the nature of love, death, fate and time in his retelling of the Tristan and Isolde legend. It is beautifully performed here by tenor John Potter and the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra.

Asha Srinivasan
Assistant Professor of Music
Director, Electronic Music Studio
asha.srinivasan@lawrence.edu
biography | www.twocomposers.org

I wrote Dviraag for flute and cello in 2009. It was specially commissioned by the Flute/Cello Commissioning Circle to be played by a consortium of four duos all across the U.S. and Canada. As you’ll hear, I really love working with Indian elements within the Western musical context. This excerpt is performed by the exceptional duo Terra Voce.

Another strong interest of mine is working with the electronic music medium. The second clip is from Alone, Dancing, an electroacoustic work for solo flute. This excerpt was performed by Lawrence flute faculty member Suzanne Jordheim at the opening Conservatory Assembly. Flute is one of my favorite instruments to write for – it has the fluidity of the voice and the versatility of an instrument.

John Benson
Instructor in Music
john.h.benson@lawrence.edu
biography | www.lawrence.edu/fast/bensonj

Matt Turner
Director, Improvisation Group of Lawrence University
matthew.l.turner@lawrence.edu
biography | improvcellist.com