Episode 022 - Paul Novak - Feathery Complexity

Episode • Feb 15, 2021 • 55m

In today’s episode, we are in the “Windy City”, the “City of Big Shoulders”, or more commonly Chicago! He is originally from Reno, Nevada, but now lives in Chicago where he attends the University of Chicago in pursuit of his PhD in Music Composition. I met Paul when he was just in high school and he blew me away with his musical knowledge and insanely deep musical intuition. He is a brilliant composer and we know he will be a big star very soon. He was recently the recipient of the American Composers Orchestra’s 2020 Underwood Commission for a new work that will premiere in Carnegie Hall. Paul also traveled to Burapha, Thailand, as part of the Thai Experimental Laboratory for Young Composers where he collaborated with Thai musicians and composed a new piece for traditional Thai instruments. He currently has several commissions from ensembles including the Boston New Music Initiative, KINETIC Ensemble, and Willinger Duo. In our episode today, we talk about Scriabin, harmonic melody, the erhu, the idea of “ma”, and having a life changing experience by having a pieced performed as a young person.

Guest:

Paul Novak

Paul Novak’s website: www.paulnovakmusic.com

Music Included in this Episode:

As Light begins to Drift by Paul Novak. Performed by the American Composers Orchestra, conducted by George Manahan. © Paul Novak 2019

Anatomies of Fragile Things by Paul Novak. Performed by Julia Simpson (oboe), Angela Bae (violin), and Wesley Ducote (piano) © Paul Novak 2018

Figures in Violet Light by Paul Likhuta. Performed by students of Burapha University. © Paul Novak 2018.

Ensemble Links:

www.americancomposers.org

Hosts:

William F. Montgomery - www.williammontgomerycomposer.com

Hillary Lester - www.thehealthymusiciansite.com