Congratulations, wonderful news! Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson and Lowell Liebermann Flute Concerto!
The upcoming world premiere will take place on March 22, 2024, with the participation of Stefan Ragnar Höskuldsson, to whom Lieberman dedicated the composition, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the direction of the dynamic Finnish conductor Susanna Mälkki. A concert commissioned especially for this occasion.
Stefán Ragnar Höskuldsson is the principal flutist of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, as well as a distinguished international soloist and chamber musician. Stefán plays the Emanuel flute.
http://www.stefanragnarhoskuldsson.com
Lowell Liebermann
Born on February 22, 1961, in New York City, Lowell Liebermann is an accomplished American composer, pianist, and conductor. At just sixteen, he showcased his talent at Carnegie Hall by performing his Piano Sonata, op. 1.
Liebermann pursued his musical education at the Juilliard School of Music under the guidance of David Diamond and Vincent Persichetti, earning bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. He garnered interest from renowned composer-pianist Kaikhosru Shapurji Sorabji, who critiqued Liebermann’s early work, leading to the dedication of Liebermann’s Concerto for Piano, op. 12 to Sorabji.
Notable among Liebermann’s compositions are his Sonata for Flute and Piano (1987), Gargoyles for piano (1989), and Concerto for Flute and Orchestra (1992). Additionally, he has created works such as a sonata for flute and guitar (1988), five cello sonatas (the latest in 2019), his second piano concerto (1992), the opera The Picture of Dorian Gray (1996), a second symphony (2000), a trumpet concerto (2000), a violin concerto (2001), Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini for piano and orchestra (2001), and the opera Miss Lonelyhearts (2006), commissioned for the Juilliard School’s centennial celebration.
Furthermore, Liebermann was commissioned by the Dranoff International Two Piano Foundation to compose “Three Lullabies” for two pianos. His chamber music, featuring guest artists Andrés Díaz, Erika Eckert, and the Ying Quartet, was recorded by Opus Two and released under the title Chamber Music of Lowell Liebermann (Albany Records, TROY684 2004).
His music blends traditional tonality and structure with innovative harmonies, often exploring highly polytonal compositions and experimenting with different bitonal possibilities. Renowned flutist James Galway has recorded Liebermann’s Concerto for Piccolo and Orchestra, Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, and Concerto for Flute, Harp and Orchestra. Additionally, American clarinetist Jon Manasse premiered Liebermann’s Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra (2009) with The Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Neal Gittleman.
Residing in New York City, Liebermann currently teaches composition at Mannes College The New School for Music and directs the Mannes American Composers Ensemble.
