Mark Weiser’s (BM ‘ 91, Piano; MM ’93, Composition) High Velocity for solo piano was premiered by its dedicatee Hannah Creviston on February 3 at Arizona Sate University. Weiser performed the same work on a solo piano recital program he gave on February 13 as part of USC’s Thornton School of Music Faculty Recital Series. High Velocity received its Canadian premiere by Elbert Gong, student of former Peabody Faculty Julian Martin on July 26 at The Banff Centre.
Other recent premieres and performances of Weiser’s compositions include: The Best of Me, for mezzo-soprano and piano, commissioned by Arno Drucker to celebrate former Peabody Faculty Ruth Drucker’s 80th birthday. Tracey Scher (GPD ’93, Voice) and R. Timothy McReynolds premiered The Best of Me at Drucker’s birthday celebration concert at Towson University on March 9. Pulse Chamber Music performed Kegelstatt Funk, for Clarinet, Viola, and Piano, on April 17 at University of Miami’s Frost School of music; and the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players, led by Mark McCoy, performed Triptych, for chamber ensemble, on May 5, 2013.
Recent recordings include Weiser’s setting of the African American spiritual Weary Land, for SATB a cappella, recorded by USC’s Thornton Chamber Singers, Jo-Michael Scheibe, music director, and Three Bollywood Dances included on the Helix Collective’s latest CD, World Dance Club.
