Benjamin Lees: 3 Preludes (1962)

Benjamin Lees (1924-2010): 3 Preludes, per pianoforte (1962).
No. 1
No. 2 [03:39]
No. 3 [07:07]
Miriam Conti, pianoforte.
Cover image: painting by Stuart Davis.
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[@mikeg2924]

This is so excellent. Lees was born in Harbin, China, 1924 to Russian-Jewish parents who emigrated to California when he was just a baby. After a stint in the U.S. military he got a Guggenheim fellowship in the 50s, taught in Peabody in the 60s and Juilliard in the 70s, and Grammy nominated in 2003. What a pleasure to hear so much of his work on the Tube!

[@stueystuey1962]

Thank you for that. Lees' compositions creep into my streams amidst Webern and Knussen and yet there is a profoundly French parlor quality mixed in with Germanic sturm und drang that is so cool.

[@Nullifidian]

Thanks to your video, I now, over thirty years later, know who painted the artwork used on the cover of the album that got me into modern classical music: the Piano Sonata No. 1 performed by William Masselos for Columbia. It's not the same artwork, but the style is distinctive enough to recognize. I had never heard of Ives before and only picked up the album because I liked the artwork, so I can thank Stuart Davis for turning me onto 20th century music in general.

[@notaire2]

Technisch perfekte und zugleich lyrische Interpretation dieses perfekt komponierten Meisterwerks im sorgfältig analysierten Tempo mit völlig effektiver Dynamik. Echt unvergleichlicher Komponist und geniale Pianistin!

[@eppiehemsley6556]

You're right notary in every detail. Well said.

[@giuseppedimarco8358]

Great!

[@gerardbegni2806]

This music is quite interesting and exhibits a true originality. Nevertheless, the musical style is somewhat in-between; I do not feel it as fully convincing, but the whole keeps all of our interest.

[@stueystuey1962]

Wiki article says he rejected atonality. This does not have a center nor does it introduce diatonic melody. Only word that fits is atonal.

[@Renee2004lr]

Not exactly. "Atonal" is primarily a term used by those who follow the strict system of Schoenberg which is a very strict system. Many composers (myself included) prefer to not use either the strict diatonic system nor the strict Schoenberg 12-tone system. I can end a piece of music and you will have a smile on your face and never know what I did without traditional tonality.

[@stephenjablonsky1941]

Good composer. I wonder how he supported himself since he never had a permanent job.

[@stueystuey1962]

According to wiki he taught at prestigious music schools.

[@stephenjablonsky1941]

@@stueystuey1962 It appears as though he was a visiting professor doing two-year stints and never had a tenured, full-time position.

[@Renee2004lr]

most of us just starve until we get a piece performed!