Stanley Grill Composer: An Unexpected Life

From Conversations with Musicians, with Leah Roseman Leah Roseman

The composer Stanley Grill joins me for a conversation about his beautiful compositions with a focus on some of his award-winning albums including The Mystic Trumpeter and Two Symphonies. Every composer’s path is unique and I was curious to learn about his personal career and creative choices which have sometimes gone counter to what people expect of a composer, and why his accidental career outside of music helped him in many ways. You’ll hear about some of his formative experiences and influences, including the legacy of Abby Whiteside’s piano pedagogy, the songs of Charles Ives, and some interesting lesser known composers he’s been researching including Gernsheim and Mayakovsky. All the music you’ll hear is Stanley Grill’s and is linked on his web site including scores.

ALL THE LINKS!

Show notes take you to Stanley's music, scores, suggested episodes, podcast merch, newsletter sign up, YouTube video version, transcript on my blog, and how you can support this independent podcast.

(00:00) Intro

(01:30) The Mystic Trumpeter with clips, Walt Whitman

(09:04) Schenker and the importance of musical architecture, Abby Whiteside

(15:47) Two Symphonies album with clip of 4th mvt Symphony for Peace music for peace project

(19:48) writing for brass, Bruckner orchestration, Summer with clip of 3rd mvt

(22:43) Stanley’s contrapuntal style, emphasis on getting his music recorded

(28:57) chamber music including string trios with clip of Sinfonia 4, tribute to Bach

(31:26) childhood love of music

(34:50) suggested episodes and ways to follow and support this independent podcast

(35:36) Abby Whiteside pedagogy

(40:03) Charles Ives, Mahler, studying composition, decision to get a job outside of music

(46:17) New York Transit Authority and other work outside music