NEWS OF THE TCHEREPNIN SOCIETY

• In February 2002, the Harvard Music Library opened an exhibit of Ivan Tcherepnin manuscripts and other memorabilia at its Richard F. French Gallery. It was mounted in tribute to the composer's brilliant educational career at Harvard, particularly his pioneering work in shaping the University's Electronic Music Studio, and in channeling the gifts of a generation of electronic music students. On view August 2002 until September 2002, the exhibit opened with the screening of three experimental films with musical scores by Ivan Tcherepnin, along with a memorial video by Harvard film-maker Alfred Guzzetti set to Ivan's music. These films were presented in refurbished DVD transfers commissioned by the Tcherepnin Society.

• Those who admire the brilliant pianist Noriko Ogawa's recordings of Alexander Tcherepnin's Concertos Nos. 5 and 6 for the BIS label, with the Singapore Symphony conducted by its Music Director Lan Shui, will be happy to know that the collaborators have now rounded out the series, completing the sessions for Concertos Nos. 1-4. The concertos are slated to appear in a two-CD series that will also feature Mr. Shui and the orchestra performing several major Tcherepnin scores, including Magna Mater and the Symphonic Prayer. As Mr. Shui is Artist Laureate of the Tcherepnin Society and a member of our Board of Directors, this project is a particular source of pride to us. Look for the first of the CDs at the beginning of 2003.

• On June 24, 2002, a Tcherepnin Society grant to the National Piano Competition for teen-agers sponsored by Piano Arts of Wisconsin brought alumna winner Elizabeth Joy Roe to the 2002 competition's Final Awards Concert. She performed Alexander Tcherepnin's Piano Concerto No. 2 in its original small orchestra version, with an ensemble including Milwaukee Symphony members. Since her victory in the 1999 competition, Ms. Roe has gone on to study at The Juilliard School on full scholarship. Her appearance at the concert provided a professional perspective for performances of Mozart and Beethoven concerto movements by three 2002 medalists chosen from a dozen participating semifinalists from throughout the U. S. The choice of Tcherepnin's Second Concerto by the organizers of the competition had a twofold purpose: to pay hommage to Tcherepnin's seminal work as an educator in the mid-west during the 1950s and 60s, and to encourage competitors to explore the music of 20th and 21st century modernist composers.

• In early July, 2002, the CRI label re-released Martha Braden's landmark CD recording of Alexander Tcherepnin Piano Music (CRI #896). Containing the world premiere recording of the composer's "Message," Op. 39 and "Songs Without Words," Op. 82 — and (remarkably) the only available solo-piano performance of his celebrated Bagatelles, Op. 5 — the program was recorded under the supervision of the late Hsien Ming Tcherepnin for the Newport label. Originally issued in 1991, it quickly disappeared from shops along with the rest of the Newport catalogue when the label was acquired by SONY. Generous leasing terms offered by SONY enabled the Tcherepnin Society to sponsor the resurrection of this attractive disc.

• The Alaria Chamber Ensemble, a New York City group whose concerts frequently include music by Alexander Tcherepnin, finished sessions in the spring of 2002 for an all-Tcherepnin recording. Two CD premieres — the Piano Trio, Op. 34, and the Violin and Piano Sonata, Op. 14 — figure on their program, along with the Duo for Violin and Cello, Op. 50, the Suite for Solo Cello, Op. 76, and the Cello Sonata Op. 30, No. 1. After editing is complete the master will be placed with a distributor. Look for an update when the CD is ready for release!

Contributions to The Tcherepnin Society, a 501 (c) (3) organization, are tax deductible.

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