Paul Seitz, composer

Dr. Timothy Howe, who joined the University of Missouri faculty as trombone professor this year, has invited me to join other MU composers in a project to create some new compositions for trombone and chamber ensemble.  There are plans to give at least five performances of the new works in a variety of venues in the region and at conferences in the U.S., performed by Dr. Howe and his colleagues on the applied faculty.   Anticipated date of these performances is Spring 2013.  More details as they become available.

In December 2011, I was invited to compose a new work for the University Singers, "the most prominent choral representative of the University of Missouri School of Music," directed by Paul Crabb, for a concert on April 14, 2012 featuring visiting conductor Peter Phillips (founder and music director of the Tallis Scholars).  That new piece, La Fiammeggiante Luce (The Flaming Light), is a setting of 16th century Italian texts by St. Catherine de' Ricci (1522-1590) combined with remarkably similar texts taken from testimonies of American Shakers in 1842-3, describing miraculous visions, and is now in rehearsal for the April premiere (see details in the Events page).

I have just completed (12-6-11) a new chamber trio, for tenor saxophone and two bass clarinets, for premiere at the Festival Música nas Montanhas, in Poços de Caldas, Brasil, in January, 2012, to be performed by Luis Afonso Montanha, Eleri Ann Evans, and Henri Bok.    (Ann Evans sent the following, after the premiere: "... we absolutely loved performing your piece! You have once again composed such beautiful music that totally captivated the audience.") 

Late last spring, I was received a commision from the Odyssey Chamber Music Series to compose a new piece featuring the tenor saxophone and my Mizzou colleague Leo Saguiguit, with a chamber ensemble of 7 - 8 players.  The new piece, Some place where your spirit sounds... for tenor saxophone and an ensemble of oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon, violin, cello and piano, recently had its premiere on the October 14 concert in the Odyssey Chamber Music Series. Jill Rae Hicks, in the Columbia Tribune, called it as "a sparkling, moving work."

I was very pleased to be able to follow through on an idea I'd discussed with Henri Bok a few times over the years: a composition for a large ensemble of bass clarinets!  The bass clarinet is such a beautiful instrument and the textures and colors available in a large ensemble are inspiring.  And Henri is well known around the world as both a virtuoso and an activist advocate for the instrument.  The world premiere of Tempore nobis, for ten bass clarinets, was presented in Avila, Spain, on July 21, 2011 during the XVI Curso Internacional de Clarinetes.  (More information on the "Events" page.)  After the concert, Henri wrote to say, "The audience, the course/concert organizers, the 10 performers and the conductor LOVED your piece.  In my opinion it was maybe the most amazing work of the whole concert (though it was a programme of h'highlights').  Thanks you so much, Paul, for writing this beautiful music...."

Jazz composers have been writing "twelve tone" music in a rich variety of ways for more than 50 years.  I wanted to celebrate that wonderful spirit of exploration in a composition that keeps the sound of all twelve tones in the air – this time through the use of minor 11 chords (each one containing six notes), as few as two of which sound all twelve tones (“six of one and a half dozen of the other”).  I'm grateful for the invitation by Dr. Arthur White, and the amazing talent and commitment of the members of the ensemble.  This is one of eleven tracks on a new CD, Tunnel Vision, now available (see "Recordings" page).
Here's an excerpt from Wayne Goins review in Jazz Ambassadors Magazine: “Six of One…” is a beautiful cacophony of melodies and counterlines that converge to create an intricate musical tapestry over a tight rhythm section. Using a twelve-tone technique, the minor chord progression seems to constantly shift centers, creating melodic tension and release throughout." 

This page is under construction.