Reena Esmail

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Are any of our current members here familiar with the music of Reena Esmail?

Yesterday, whilst a friend and I were putting up my Christmas tree, we stumbled across a piece of her music (I had NPR on and the program was "From The Top").  We were both struck by this beautiful and haunting music.  You can listen to it here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArzRqKm_seU  It's a piece called "Darshan".  Ms. Esmail is a young Indian-American composer who has received rave reviews for her work....so glad that I happened to have the radio on!  At the bottom of this posting is a link to her bio and website.  Do check out this piece of music:  it's exquisite!

https://fromthetop.org/show/stravinskys-firebird-suite-a-beethoven-sonata-more/

You can read more about it here:  https://www.reenaesmail.com/catalog-item/darshan/

https://www.reenaesmail.com/bio/

Best wishes,

PD

[bhodges]

I have heard a few of her works over the last few years (mostly chamber music) and liked all of them. Most recent was in July 2019: Teen Murti (below) at the Next Festival of Emerging Artists, held at National Sawdust in Brooklyn. The performance was with some young string players, conducted by Peter Askim.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeuJ_28EUYI

Glad you discovered her. I think she's one of the most interesting composers working today.

--Bruce

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I have heard a few of her works over the last few years (mostly chamber music) and liked all of them. Most recent was in July 2019: Teen Murti (below) at the Next Festival of Emerging Artists, held at National Sawdust in Brooklyn. The performance was with some young string players, conducted by Peter Askim.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeuJ_28EUYI

Glad you discovered her. I think she's one of the most interesting composers working today.

--Bruce

Neat!  Thanks for sharing that link Bruce.    I found out some more about it here:  https://www.reenaesmail.com/catalog-item/teen-murti-sq-cello-solo/

I know virtually nothing about Indian music but enjoyed it despite that.  Interesting to read her comments about how people would react in India when the name of the raag would be announced at a concert.

PD

PD

[relm1]

I know her and have co-judged young composer competitions with her.  Very fine composer and nice person worth exploring.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I know her and have co-judged young composer competitions with her.  Very fine composer and nice person worth exploring.

Nice to hear!  Which works of hers do you like in particular?

PD

[relm1]

Nice to hear!  Which works of hers do you like in particular?

PD

I like the one from River Oaks Chamber Orchestra CD (It is also on youtube).