David Sawer is in New York, where he is presenting his ballet Rumpelstiltskin at the 2012 Congress of the International Society for the Performing Arts.

Together with Stephen Newbould from the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, David is participating in the “Pitch New Works Now” session of the conference.

Fingers crossed for the first US performance of Rumpelstiltskin, a work that the Times called “a tour de force of mostly ominous effects and gradually mounting frenzy”.

Clarification

I was a little unclear in this post. The work was not itself performed, but presented to the delegates of the congress. Our crossed fingers refer to the hope that one of the delegates was so overwhelmed as to plan a new production of the ballet.

Apologies for any confusion.

Before we disappear amongst the Christmas wrapping, here are a few tips for your listening pleasure over the holidays.

Pierre Boulez’ Notations are on Radio SWR2 tonight (Friday) at 8pm German time.

David Sawer’s Stramm Gedichte will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 tomorrow (Saturday) at 9:45pm London time.

Arvo Pärt’s Magnificat is sung by the NDR choir tomorrow (Saturday 24th) at 7pm German time on Radio NDR Kultur.

Once the new year kicks off, listen to the Arditti Quartet performing Vykintas Baltakas’ string quartet b(ell tree) on SWR2 on Wednesday 4th January at 11pm German time.

French speakers might like to listen to France Culture’s Villes Mondes Vienne episode, which was first broadcast on 13th November and contains an interview with Friedrich Cerha.

Merry Christmas!

His music “shimmers with iridescent detail”, he “defies accurate categorisation”, his “command of skills is complete”, he “tightens his score with unerring focus”, there is “unfailing originality and distinctiveness of everything David Sawer composes” …

… and he’s 50 years old today.

Congratulations David. We’re proud to have you in the UE catalogue and look forward to all the music you’re going to write.

Read more about David Sawer, listen to excerpts from his works and find background information and reviews of his works.

Feel free to send David your birthday wishes on our Facebook page.

Update

Here's a preview of our forthcoming new composer brochure

Update 2

Here's the finished composer brochure