Press Kit
“The other premiere was Charles Griffin’s Panta Rei, a pulsing, fast, free-flowing piece of tight, dense textures and few open spaces, save for an island of rather uneasy repose in the middle.” - The Buffalo News (9/19/99)
“Charles Griffin’s Concentric Dance, with [its] complicated rhythmic and contrasting sections, [was] gripping from beginning to end.” – The Clarinet, review of Mariah Wind Trio at U of OK Clarfest, June 1999.
“Charles Griffin’s Fragmentary Rondo for solo flute should join the ranks of standard repertory.” - New Music Connoisseur, Vol. 5, No. 3, 1997.
“The first section’s freely tonal sound made for many wonderful moments which can only be described as spooky and funky. The second section was beautifully canonic which, if it lacked the harmonic interest of the opening, was extremely musical. It was enjoyed by the hall.” - Alf Bishai, NY Chief Correspondent, Film Music Magazine, Fall 1999
“…Equally successful are the kaleidoscopic textures of the brief and hypnotic Oriental Poppies by Charles Griffin. Centered around a short descending motif, the movement here is fuelled by imaginative quasi-improvised melodic figures and an ever-shifting rhythmic emphasis.” – Paul Fowles, Classical Guitar, June 1999.
“Starting off the program was Griffin’s Vernacular Dances, which plays off popular styles (Latin rhythms, blues, jazz) in a very serious way. This muscular work, expertly played by pianist Perry Townsend, was the strongest of the concert.” - New Music Connoisseur, Vol. 5, No. 4, 1997.
Press questions:
The following questions are intended for print and broadcast journalists in connection with interviews with Charles Griffin. These topics are designed to facilitate conversation with him and will make for a fascinating interview:
1. Tell me about your compositional process. Do you like to start from an outside inspiration such as something you’ve read, or do you like to start with a purely musical idea?
2. When you have outside inspiration, what draws you to the subject matter you choose?
3. Are there any works that you haven’t yet written that would be a sort of dream project for you?
4 Tell me about growing up in the U.S. and now living in Latvia. How has that influenced your music or aesthetic view, if at all?
5. Tell me about some of your collaborations with the many fine artists and organizations you’ve worked with over the years. What are the differences in working with American ensembles and Latvian ensembles?
6. Tell me about your current projects. What compositions are you currently working on?
7. Tell me why you formed your own ensemble in Latvia. Tell me why you started and maintain your From the Faraway Nearby blog?
8. Have there been any joys or problems you’ve encountered along the way as a composer or performer?
9. How are you responding to the changing face of classical music in the 21st century?
10. What does the future hold for Charles Griffin?
All press inquiries should be directed to Jeffrey James Arts Consulting at 516-586-3433 or jamesarts@worldnet.att.net.
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