Born in New York City, composer Lita Grier studied composition at
Juilliard with Peter Mennin. At age 16, she won first prize in the New
York Philharmonic Young Composer's Contest. At UCLA, she studied with
Lukas Foss and Roy Harris. She received a master's degree in
composition and UCLA's Atwater Kent Prize, then abandoned composition.
"At that time there was little encouragement for women composers,
especially those working independently and in a more tonal harmonic
language," she writes.
Renascence is a sophisticated work combining vibrant syncopation with
jazz and folk elements. It's an adaptation of her earlier Sonata for
Flute and Piano, dedicated to former Chicago Symphony and New York
Philharmonic principal flutist Julius Baker. Renascence's final
movement was inspired by a passage from Joyce's A Portrait of the
Artist as a Young Man. Since its world premiere in April 1996, it has
won expressions of support from James Galway, Carol Wincenc, and Julius
Baker, who called it "a new classic in the standard flute repertory."
To purchase the CD or download this performance, click here.
Cedille Records is the recording label of The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation, a publicly-supported, not-for-profit, organization devoted to promoting the finest musicians, ensembles, and composers in the Chicago area by producing and releasing their efforts on audiophile-quality recordings. The recordings and their promotion are designed to stimulate interest in these performers and composers and bring their artistry to a wider audience. Cedille Records is also dedicated to promoting interest in neglected areas of the classical repertory by presenting masterpieces that have been overlooked by other recording companies.
Classical Music | Music for Flute
Lita Grier
“Renascence” (Concertino for Flute and Orchestra) Play
Recorded on 06/21/1998, uploaded on 03/24/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Born in New York City, composer Lita Grier studied composition at Juilliard with Peter Mennin. At age 16, she won first prize in the New York Philharmonic Young Composer's Contest. At UCLA, she studied with Lukas Foss and Roy Harris. She received a master's degree in composition and UCLA's Atwater Kent Prize, then abandoned composition. "At that time there was little encouragement for women composers, especially those working independently and in a more tonal harmonic language," she writes.
Renascence is a sophisticated work combining vibrant syncopation with jazz and folk elements. It's an adaptation of her earlier Sonata for Flute and Piano, dedicated to former Chicago Symphony and New York Philharmonic principal flutist Julius Baker. Renascence's final movement was inspired by a passage from Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Since its world premiere in April 1996, it has won expressions of support from James Galway, Carol Wincenc, and Julius Baker, who called it "a new classic in the standard flute repertory."
Performances by same musician(s)
Concerto for Flute and Orchestra
Concerto for Flute, Strings, Harp, and Percussion
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
To purchase the CD or download this performance, click here.
Cedille Records is the recording label of The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation, a publicly-supported, not-for-profit, organization devoted to promoting the finest musicians, ensembles, and composers in the Chicago area by producing and releasing their efforts on audiophile-quality recordings. The recordings and their promotion are designed to stimulate interest in these performers and composers and bring their artistry to a wider audience. Cedille Records is also dedicated to promoting interest in neglected areas of the classical repertory by presenting masterpieces that have been overlooked by other recording companies.