The Profession Of Art  

THOMAS ROSENKRANZ JOEL HARRISSON

Ashtar magazine presents an important Biography about two famous International pianists : Thomas Rosenkranz and Joel Harrisson who have given history and the world of musical Art .  A touch of real profession leaving on the rocks of time a great light of piano sight !.. 

Biographical information on Thomas Rosenkranz  

Thomas Rosenkranz is a pianist possessing extreme versatility ranging from classical music to experimental  improvisation . His  talents have led to performances at Lincoln Center , 92^nd Street Y, Columbia University's  Miller Theatre  , and Symphony Space in New York City , as well as tours throughout Japan . Taiwan and the United States as a member of Eastman Wind Ensemble . He was the 1999 National Winner at the MTNA Collegiate Artist Piano Competition , and has been a guest artist at the Georgia Pennsylvania , Hawaii and Washington State Music Teacher's Conventions .

His performances have been worldwide as a part of the WGBH Boston Program , Art of the States and he has recorded for Nonesuch Records with the group Alarm will Sound  and for Warner Brother Records with the Eastman Wind Ensemble . 

 

As a strong advocate  for modern and contemporary music , Mr. Rosenkranz has collaborated with many composers including John Adams , George Crumb and Frederic Rzewski . Highlights of his 2000/2001 season include performances of Rzewski's  cpic piano work The People  United Will Never Be Defeated !

Throughout the country including the Eastman Summer Piano Festival and the Knitting Factory in New York City . Recent projects include : co-organizing a three-day festival dedicated to the music of George Crumb at the Eastman School of Music,  collaborations with the Elizabeth Clarck Dance  Ensemble and Series of free-improvisation concerts at the Eastman School of Music . For the third straight  year he was the official pianist for the Kurt Weill Gala concert at Lincoln Center and was asked by the Kurt Weill foundation  for Music to edit and make piano arrangements of recently discovered songs by Weill . This score entitled Unsung Weill will be published in Fall 2002 . In addition , Rosenkranz was awarded  a Presser  Foundation grant to study Olivier Messiacn's  composition , Vingt regards sur l'Enfant Jesus the composers wife , Yvonne Loriod , in Paris , France . 

Thomas Rosenkranz began his studies at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music , and went on to earn his Master degree and Performer's Certificate from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester , New York . He is currently a Doctorate Candidate at  Eastman continuing his studies with Nelita Truc ,and is Artist Affiliate at Syracuse University , where he teaches piano . 

 

Repertoire selected from the following works:

Bach/Busoni : Chorale Prelude "Ich ruf zu,dir,Herr Jesus Christ "

Lizt: Fantastic and Fugue on the theme B-A-C-H

Lizt: Sonneto 104

Lizt/Wagner:Liebestod

Charles Ives : "The Alcotts" and "Hawthorne" from Concord Sonata

Messiaen : "Premiere Communion de la vierge" and "Le Baiser de l'enfant Jesus" from Vingt Regards

Scriabin:Sonata No. 5

Keith Jarret : Koln  Concert , Mvt:4

Wild/Gershwin:"The Man I Love" and "Fascinating Rhythm" from Seven Etudes

Rzewski: Piano Piece No.4

Rosenkranz: Improvisation and Paraphrase on The Star Spangled Banner

Carl Vine : Sonata(1990)

 

Concerti:

J.S. Bach: Concerto in D Minor

Corigliano: Piano Concerto

Harrisson: Piano Concerto

Rachmaninov: Rhapsodic on a theme by Paganini

 

Biographical information on Joel Harrisson .

 

Joel Harrisson brings a superb educational background and a wealth of performing , teaching and administrative experience to his job as Artistic Director of the American Pianists Association . Working on a consulting basis during the spring of 2001 while completing duties as Director of the Mississippi Piano Showcase and Professor of Music at Mississippi State University , Dr. Harrisson began fulltime responsibilities  with APA in July 2001 . A native Carolinian and Graduate of the University of North Carolina , he is no stranger to the Midwest , having received the master of Music (with distinction) in Piano from Indiana University and the Doctorate of Music (with highest honors) from NorthwesternUniversity . Additional studies where in Switzerland and Austria and in Siena , Italy with Guido Agosti . Harrisson taught for several years at Davidson College in North Carolina and was co-founder of the Davidson . Competition for pianists before accepting his position at Mississippi state University . While in Mississippi he was a Mississippi  Touring Artist , President of the Mississippi Music Teachers Association , a consultant to the Mississippi Arts commission , a music consultant to sky Magazine of Delta Airlines and a member of the Board of Directors of the Starkville Area Council , in addition to his duties as university professor . As pianist with the Johns-Harrisson Duo (Flute and piano),  he has been Artist -in-Residence at the Prague Conservatory of Music in the Czech Republic and performed in Europe , Canada and throughout the United States , including the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall . A frequent adjudicator for festivals regionally and nationwide , he has been a judge for numerous competitions of the Music Teachers National Association , including the national Artist Competition collegiate in Piano and in Chamber Music . Harrisson was a recipient of the circle of Excellency Award in 2000 for outstanding teaching and service to Mississippi state University, where he served on the faculty for fourteen years , and was named a professor of Eminence.

 

Classical Pianist Program Schedule

 

Tue Oct. 28 :     Pianists arrive Beirut

 

Thu Oct. 30:     

 

1930                                      Solo  concert at the University of Balamand Auditorium

 

Fri Oct.  31:

0930-1030        Youth outreach session at Evangelical School in Nabatieh

1100-1200                 Youth outreach  session Antonine Sisters School in Nabatieh

1530-1800                 Master class at National Conservatory (young players)

2000                                  AUB joint presentation / recital

 

Sat Nov. 1:

1900-2100                     Reception / recital hb Ambassador

 

Sun Nov. 2:

1900                                      Solo concert , Zahle ,hb Mayor Assaad Zogheib at Hotel Qadiri Zahle

 

Mon Nov. 3:          Program at University St. Esprit Kaslik

900-1100                             Master classes for our students (advanced)

1130-1330                         Master classes for four students (intermediate)

1500-1600                         Joint presentation , lecture / short recital

 

Tue Nov.4

1530-1800                         Master classes at conservatory (intermediate)

 

Wed Nov. 5 :

1530-1700                         Lecture at conservatory

 

Thu Nov. 6:

1530-1800                           Master classes (advanced)

 

Fri Nov. 7 :

2030                                            Gala Concert at Church of St. Joseph

Shots of the conversation that was done between Aashtar and the famous International pianist , Thomas Rosenkranz . within the presence of the American Embassy . 

What kind of important musical mission you want to give it , and spread in our Eastern Societies of art as a whole ?.. 

I think it is very important to cross musical culture between societies allowing the influence to cover inside Art classical music and the modern . Classical and Modern  composers are composing music for the future , it is very unique to progress with it or else this will lead to become a kind of Museum . The program is to bring musical connections with its good varieties this will be excellent for both sides East and West giving the chance to bring composers to Lebanon to play a role in a huge world of music.

How do you find the taste of our Eastern music and is there a possibility to combine it in one of your works one day ?.. 

I love Arabic music , I heard it just for the first time it is fascinating to hear . Western and Arabic music through musicians and composers are sharing musical ideas and I'am doing this in my work , a real taste of combination .

Nowadays we find many sociable - political -and Artistic currents facing and influencing the world of music .. In your opinion what are the ways to deal with such a situation  ?..

I think for me one of the most important things that music should reflect societies it did and it will always do . Any kind of music that is done comes from the reflection of our lives  and different societies , by this all nations can take from this great foundation

 The world right now is becoming as one village , stress is getting more and  more in which ways Music and Musical people can allow nations to solve their problems  in peaceful ways ?.. 

Music is a universal language we are doing "Blues" in  Beirut . Beirut was and it will be always a joyful area , therefore music is a "universal  language " it can Unit people . Stereo type of American Music  creates a way of Joy . It shows what Americans and American Culture is thus giving an idea about America.

Is there a possibility one day to address to the people of the East a concert through it selecting new talents that can be international and thus enabling to get national Awards?..

While I was here in Lebanon I heard about so many talents .. I've seen and taught also listened . I took an idea I'll study it and it will be taken into consideration .  

Have you ever thought of combining Modern and classical music in one National work presenting it to the world as a message of humanity and peace to all Nations , that will become graved on the stones of history for ever ?.. "I ment also an Immortal Kind of work "!..

It is not important to be remembered but the most important thing is meeting , and inspiring future generations  in Music ..

All talents are donated from heaven . How did "God Almighty" .. with his heavenly touch influence your life and success?..

I think I was blessed since  when I was young .My teacher was a very loving teacher ..taught me how to be creative and not being technical inspiring my own ideas. My parents with their love seeing me the way I was .. gave me my own piano so that I could play music as I loved and wanted to do so as always I would do it quite right . 

What are your National plans for the future ?..  

I would like to create a musical school dedicated to performers - composers and pianists of the world .  

Will you repeat your musical visit to the East ?..What plans will be taken through it?.. 

I'd love to come back to Lebanon and teach students .. exchange music culture to develop this exchange , the project will happen on yearly bases if it is possible . Afterwards I'll do that very soon .

How did you find Lebanon right now and will there be a one golden Musical piece , from you specially addressed to "Lebanon" the heart of Nations?..

I think what is fascinating for me, is to ask a Lebanese composer to make a double concerto with me combining both cultures Eastern and West . That will be my dream , showing to the world a symbol of East and West coming together . 

                                                                                                Sara Abdel Massih