ROBERT MAGGIO
ROBERT MAGGIO
The music of Robert Maggio has been called “lyrical, passionate, melodic, and rhythmically charged” (American Record Guide). Hailed as a composer of music that is “smart, vital, and inventive” (Philadelphia Inquirer), Robert Maggio has created a substantial body of works in nearly every genre, each creating a unique connection between the composer’s “wondrously eclectic vocabulary” (New York Times) and the demands of a diverse body of commissions.
Recent projects include a 40-minute orchestral suite (Two Visions) composed in collaboration with Ana Lara for the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico and the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, and short choral works for the Reading Choral Society and the Kennett Square Symphony Children’s Chorus. Works in progress include a suite for chamber orchestra to celebrate the Riverside Symphonia’s 15th Anniversary Season and a dance work for Network for New Music to be choreographed by Matthew Neenan and Phrenic New Ballet.
In the spring of 2004, Albany Records released a CD of Maggio’s recent choral works including Aristotle, Jacklight, The Wishing Tree, and Rachel and Her Children. In reviewing this CD, American Record Guide said, “Maggio is quite a craftsman, with the traditional elements… all contribute to a smooth, luxurious, somewhat mysterious, flow.” Fanfare Magazine reported, “…Maggio shows himself both deeply respectful of the choral tradition and determined to put his own stamp on it.” Published by Theodore Presser Company, Maggio’s music is currently recorded on the Albany and CRI labels.
Maggio’s orchestral music has been performed by the Boston Pops, the Atlanta Symphony, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Long Beach Symphony, the National Symphony Orchestra of Mexico, the Oakland East Bay Symphony, the Dallas/Fort Worth Symphony, the New York Youth Symphony and the Tampa Bay Youth Orchestra. His chamber and vocal/choral music has been commissioned and performed by the New York Festival of Song, Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors Festival, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Colorado Quartet (Arizona Friends of Chamber Music commission), Sanford Sylvan and David Breitman (Barlow commission), Detroit Chamber Winds, Meridian Arts Ensemble, Composers Inc., Network for New Music, Orchestra 2001 and the Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia.
In addition to composing for ballet, Maggio has created scores for numerous modern dance companies (Stephen Pelton Dance Theater, Randy James Dance Works, Leah Stein and Dancers). In 1994, he was composer-in-residence at the American Dance Festival. He has composed songs and incidental music for professional theater productions, including those at Yale Repertory Theater, Philadelphia Theater Company, Peoples Light and Theater, and Shakespeare Santa Cruz.
Maggio has received awards from the Guggenheim Foundation, the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Pew Fellowships in the Arts, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts and Meet the Composer
A graduate of Yale and the University of Pennsylvania, Robert Maggio lives in Lambertville, New Jersey with his partner, the artist, Tony LaSalle, and their daughter Annamaria. He is a Professor and Chairman of the Department of Music Theory and Composition in the School of Music at West Chester University.
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Brandywine Overture for Concert Band
Available From Composer
Invisible Soundtrack (Hero) for Concert Band (2000) -- 5'
Published: #115-40200
Premiere Information: Mansfield University Wind Ensemble, conducted by Adam Brennan, April 20, 2001, Hershey, PA
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#115-40200F)
Set of parts (#115-40200P)
Psychedelic Circus for Concert Band (1998) -- 8'
Published: #115-40199
Premiere Information: Strath Haven High School Wind Ensemble, conducted by Jack Hontz, April 8, 1999, Wallingford, PA
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#115-40199F)
Set of parts (#115-40199P)
South Mountain Echoes for Concert Band (1999) -- 15'
Published: #115-40198
Commission Information: American Composers Forum as part of the Continental Harmony program
Premiere Information: Adams County Bicentennial Band, Robert Zellner, director, July 4, 2000, Gettysburg, PA
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#115-40198F)
Set of parts (#115-40198P)
Voyager for Wind Ensemble (1999)
Available From Composer
Barcarole (seven mad gods who rule the sea) for Violin, Cello, Piano and Percussion (1994) -- 18'
Published: #114-40813
Commission Information: The American Dance Festival
Premiere Information: Jean von Berg Sykes, Virginia Hudson, Mark Kuss and Chris Deane, conducted by Thomas Cabaniss; July 12, 1994, American Dance Festival, Reynolds Theater, Durham, NC
Movements:
• Calm
• Sea
• Storm - Barcarole
• Recordings
• Reviews
Available Separately:Set of parts (#114-40813P)
Full Score - Large (#114-40813S)
Distant Mirrors for Violin and Guitar
Available From Composer
Divide for Horn and Piano (1999) -- 12'
Published: #114-41096
Movements:
• Divide
• High
• Low
• Recordings
Duo Concertante for Violin and Piano (1990) -- 15'
Published: #114-40814
Commission Information: Scott St. John
Premiere Information: Scott St. John, violin, and Robert Koenig, piano, Young Concert Artists Series; February 14, 1991, 92nd Street Y, New York, NY
Movements:
• Aggressive-Rhapsodic-Belligerent
• Largo, maestoso-Seething, incisive-Belligerent-Cantabile-Tranquil
• Tender, conciliatory-Intimate, intense
• Recordings
• Reviews
Fanfare on a Lullaby for Four Trumpets, Three Trombones and Tuba
Available From Composer
Fantasy: Spontaneous Lines for Clarinet and Piano (1989) -- 13'
Published: #114-40811
Commission Information: Nathan Williams
Premiere Information: Liz Connors, clarinet, and Garry Ziegler, piano; June 8, 1990, Greenwich House, New York, NY
• Recordings
• Reviews
Fluano Pianute for Flute and Piano (1992) -- 15'
Published: #114-40812
Commission Information: Emily Swartley-Newbold and Benjamin Whitten
Premiere Information: Emily Swartley-Newbold, flute, and Benjamin Whitten, piano; November 16, 1992, Swope Auditorium, West Chester, PA
Movements:
• beditate-mounce
• bounce-minimalize
• floatupspace-meditate
• izimantime-musical box
• musing boxical-spoatupflace
• Recordings
From Earth to the Moon for Flute, Clarinet/Bass Clarinet, Violin, Cello and Percussion (1998-99)
Published: #114-41077
Movements:
• Beautiful Dreamers (5min.)
• Blue Orbits (8min.)
• Earth/Sky (Chaconne) (8min.)
• Travel Memory (25min.)
Internal Rhythms for Percussion Ensemble (1996) -- 15'
Published: #114-40909
Commission Information: West Chester University Percussion Ensemble
Premiere Information: West Chester University and University of Delaware Percussion Ensembles, April 19, 1997, West Chester, PA
Available Separately:Full Score - Large (#114-40909S)
Light to Thousands: The Ballad of Galvez for Tenor and Chamber Orchestra (2003) -- 5'
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra
Premiere Information: the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, Gabriel Reoyo-Pazos, tenor, Enrique Arturo Diemecke, conductor. Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach, CA, October 12, 2003.
Revolver for Brass Quintet and Drums
Available From Composer
Riddle for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano (1999) -- 13'
Published: #114-41097
Commission Information: Strata
Movements:
• A Baby with No Cryin'?
• A Ring That Has No End?
• Recordings
Available Separately:Set of parts (#114-41097P)
Full Score - Large (#114-41097S)
River Song for Two Oboes, Two Clarinets, Two Bassoons, and Two Horns (1996) -- 13'
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Detroit Chamber Winds
Premiere Information: Detroit Chamber Winds, March 2, 1997, Birmingham Unitarian Church, Troy, MI
Available Separately:Full Score - Study (#414-41187)
Full Score - Large (#414-41187L)
Six Brief Interludes for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Piano and Marimba
Available From Composer
Songbook for Annamaria (String Quartet No. 1) (2001) -- 20'
Published: #114-41219
Commission Information: the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music for the Colorado Quartet
Premiere Information: the Colorado Quartet. Tucson, AZ, January 8, 2003.
• Reviews
Available Separately:Set of parts (#114-41219P)
Full Score - Large (#114-41219S)
The Laurel Tree for Two Flutes and Piano (1996) -- 20'
Published: #114-40865
Commission Information: Bart Feller and Kathleen Nester
Premiere Information: Bart Feller, Kathleen Nester & Linda Mark, National Flute Association Convention, August 15, 1996, New York, NY
• Reviews
Traveling Songs for Flute and Guitar (1997) -- 7'
Published: #114-41009
Commission Information: Eileen Grycky and Christiaan Taggart
Premiere Information: Ian Swensen (violin) and Marc Teicholz (guitar), November 11, 1997, Santa Rosa Jr. College, Santa Rosa, CA
Tributary Streams for Alto Saxophone, Piano, Bass and Percussion (1994) -- 21'
Published: #114-40809
Commission Information: Arthur Hegvik
Premiere Information: Arthur Hegvik, Robert Sottile, Peter Paulsen & Richard Fitz, conducted by Robert Maggio; February 6, 1995, West Chester, PA
Available Separately:Set of parts (#114-40809P)
Full Score - Large (#114-40809S)
Trio (Anthem) for Violin, Cello and Piano
Available From Composer
Two Quartets for Two Flutes and Two Cellos (1993) -- 20'
Published: #114-40862
Commission Information: Bart Feller
Premiere Information: Bart Feller, Kathleen Nester, Fred Sherry & Jonathan
Spitz; April 6, 1994, St. Bartholomew's Chapel, New York, NY
Movements:
• desire, movement
• love, stillness
• Recordings
• Reviews
Available Separately:Set of parts (#114-40862P)
Full Score - Large (#114-40862S)
Vibrate for String Quartet (2005) -- 8'
Commission Information: Network for New Music to celebrate their 20th anniversary season
Premiere Information: Network for New Music; danced by Phrenic New Ballet. ArtsBank, Philadelphia, March 8, 2005.
Additional Information: choreographed by Matthew Neenan.
• Reviews
Workaday Blues for Saxophone Quartet (1996)
Available From Composer
Aristotle for SATB Chorus (1998) -- 6'
Published: #312-41768
• Recordings
City Songs for Soprano and Piano
Available From Composer
Eclipse for Mixed Chorus and Trombone
Available From Composer
Ecology for Baritone, Bass Clarinet, Piano, Violin and Contrabass
Available From Composer
Five Aztec Songs for Mezzo-soprano, Woodwind Quartet and Percussion
Available From Composer
Forgiving Our Fathers for Baritone and Piano
Available From Composer
Four Men at the Door Today for Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass and Piano
Available From Composer
I Hear America Singing for SATB Chorus a cappella (2004) -- 5'
Available From Composer• Reviews
Jacklight for SATB Chorus
Available From Composer
Let Me Start Over (2003) -- 8'
Baritone and Piano
Published: #111-40208
Love and Travel for Soprano and Flute
Available From Composer
Men at Dusk for Baritone, Viola and Piano
Available From Composer
Open Road (2006)
TTBB Chorus, String Quartet, Piano, and Percussion
Commission Information: Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus, Joe Buches, Artistic Director
Premiere Information: Philadelphia Gay Men's Chorus, Joe Buches, Artistic Director. Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center Philadelphia, PA, June 10, 2006.
Movements:
• As Long As We Live - Allons! Allons!
• O Highway I Travel
• Toward Something Great
• Recordings
Quilt Panels for my love, for my grief, for my letting go (2003) -- 40'
SATB Choir, Symphonic Band
Commission Information: D.C.'s Different Drummers and Lesbian & Gay Chorus of Washington, D.C
Premiere Information: D.C.'s Different Drummers and the Lesbian & Gay Chorus of Washington, D.C, K. Scott Barker, conductor. Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at Maryland, College Park, MD, December 1, 2003.
Available From ComposerMovements:
• How To Make A Quilt Panel (lullaby and epilogue)
• Letters
• Names (prologue)
• Spirit
• Stitching No. 1
• Stitching No. 2
• Stitching No. 3 (Quilt Facts)
• Unfolding
• Reviews
Strange Creatures for Children's Chorus
Available From Composer
The Wishing Tree for SATB Chorus (1999) -- 12'
Not yet released (in prep)
Commission Information: Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia
Premiere Information: Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia, Donald Nally, music director, May 19, 2000, Philadelphia, PA
Additional Information: Text by Seamus Heaney
Voices for Two Narrators, Two Solo Sopranos, Chamber Chorus, Violin, Cello, Bass, Harp and Percussion
Available From Composer
Dinner with Friends Incidental Music
Available From Composer
Holiday Memories Incidental Music
Available From Composer
Joan at the Stake a Music Drama by Robert Maggio and Maggie Robbins
Available From Composer
Pericles (Shakespeare) Songs and Incidental Music
Available From Composer
Shakuntala (Kalidasa) Songs and Incidental Music
Available From Composer
The Hidden Ones Incidental Music
Available From Composer
The Laramie Project Incidental Music
Available From Composer
The Latent Rise of New Purity a Musical by Robert Maggio and Allan Heinberg
Available From Composer
Voices a Performance Art Piece
Available From Composer
Vol d'Oiseau for Cello, Piano, and Two Percussionists
Available From Composer
Waltzes for the Dayroom for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello and Piano
Available From Composer
Dreams from Childhood for Piano, 4 Hands (2000) -- 10'
Published: #110-40741
Commission Information: Music Teachers Association of California
Premiere Information: MTAC Annual Conference, July 2, 2001, Burlingame, CA
Elysian Fields for Solo Flute (1994) -- 7'
Published: #114-40815
Commission Information: James Pappoutsakis Memorial Fund
Premiere Information: Finalists of James Pappoutsakis Memorial Competition: Janelle Olson DiBiase, Lisa Hennessy, Megan Maiorana and Helen Richman; April 17, 1994, John Jacob Seully Hall, Boston Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA
• Recordings
• Reviews
Phoenix for Two Flutes (1997) -- 8'
Published: #114-40940
Movements:
• ...consuming itself in fire…
• ...rising renewed from the ashes...
• Recordings
Available Separately:Errata Sheet (#114-40940E)
Prelude, Hymn and Toccata for Solo Piano (1987-88) -- 13'
Published: #410-41312
Premiere Information: William Carr; November 19, 1988, Carnegie Recital Hall, New York, NY
• Reviews
Variations: My Native Land (after Charles Ives) for Solo Guitar (1995) -- 25'
Published: #114-40888
Commission Information: William Ghezzi
Premiere Information: William Ghezzi; May 14, 1995, Philadelphia Art Alliance, Philadelphia, PA
Winter Toccata (I can't believe you want to die) for Solo Cello (1993) -- 20'
Published: #114-40810
Commission Information: John Koen
Premiere Information: John Koen; April 25, 1994, Swope Auditorium, West Chester, PA
Movements:
• Dancing and Singing
• Lamenting and Raging
• Recordings
• Reviews
A Symphony of Memory for Orchestra (1988-89) -- 31'
3(Picc.) 3(E.H.) 3(E-flat Cl., B.Cl.) 3(Cbsn.) - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 4Perc. Pno.(Cel.) Hp. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Big Top for Orchestra (1997) -- 12'
2(Picc.) 2 2 2 - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 3Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Michael Morgan, conductor; April 23, 1998, Atlanta, GA
• Reviews
Boardwalk -- 5'
2 2 2 2 - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 2Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Commissioned by Ocean City Pops to celebrate their 75th Anniversary Season (with the generous help of the American Composers Forum Philadelphia Chapter).
Premiere Information: 12th August, 2003. Ocean City Pops, conducted by William Scheible, Music Pier, Ocean City, NJ.
Color and Light (2008) -- 8'
2(Picc.) 2(E.H.) 2 2 – 2 2 0 0; 1Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: 3rd, 4th October, 2008. Riverside Symphonia, conducted by Mariusz Smolij, Church of St. John the Evangelist, Lambertville, NJ.
Dorian Prelude for Orchestra (1989) -- 10'
3(Picc.) 3 3(E-flat Cl.) 3 - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 3Perc. Pno. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: New York Youth Symphony
Premiere Information: New York Youth Symphony, Samuel Wong, music director, November 26, 1989, Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
• Reviews
Imaginary Dances for Orchestra (1990-91) -- 35'
3(Picc.) 3 3(B.Cl.) 3 - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 4Perc. Pno.(Cel.) Hp. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: 1990 Barlow Endowment for Music Composition at Brigham Young University
Premiere Information: Oakland East Bay Symphony, Michael Morgan, conductor; January 24, 1992, Calvin Simmons Theater, Oakland, CA
• Reviews
My Home in the Horizon for Orchestra (2002) -- 9'
3(Picc.) 3(E.H.) 3(B.CL.) 3(Cbsn.) - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 3Perc. Pno. Hp. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Additional Information: Composed for William Wiedrich and the Tampa Bay Youth Orchestra, in association with the Department of Education and Humanities of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Made possible by a grant from The Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, in cooperation witht eh Metropolitan Ministries of Tampa.
Simple (2006) -- 5'
2 2 2 2 – 4 3 3 1; Timp. 2Perc. Hp. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Pottstown Symphony Orchestra
Premiere Information: 17th March, 2007, The Hill Center for the Performing Arts: Pottstown Symphony, conducted by Rosalind Erwin
Skylines for Orchestra (2000) -- 7'
3(Picc.) 3(E.H.) 3(B.Cl.) 3(Cbsn.) - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 3Perc. Pno. Hp. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: ASCAP Foundation and the Boston Pops Orchestra in honor of the Aaron Copland Centenary
Premiere Information: Boston Pops, Keith Lockhart conducting, June 14, 2000, Boston, MA
Snow Day (2006) -- 10'
SATB Choir; 2 2 2 2 – 4 2(CTpt.) 2 0; Timp. 2Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: The Riverside Symphonia
Premiere Information: 1st, 2nd December, 2006. Riverside Symphonia, conducted by Mariusz Smolij; Church of St. John the Evangelist, Lambertville, NJ.
Additional Information: libretto by Mary Liz McNamara
Movements:
• I. The Dream of Snow
• II. Hurry Up
• III. Three Little Kids
• IV. At the Top of a Really Big Hill
• V. Hot Chocolate
The Century Garden (2006) -- 17'
2 2 2 2 – 4 3 3 1 – 3Perc. Hp. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Commissioned by Longwood Gardens in honor of its 100th anniversary
Premiere Information: 20th July, 2006, Longwood Gardens, PA, Kennett Symphony of Chester County, conducted by Mary Woodmansee Green
Movements:
• Flowers
• Fountains
• Trees
The Hand-Prints of Sorcerers for Orchestra (1987, rev. 1992) -- 11'
2(Picc.) 2 2 2 - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 2Perc. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Michael Morgan, conductor; March 2, 1991, Orchestra Hall, Chicago, IL
Three Paintings from "Dos Visiones" (2004) -- 11'
3(Picc.) 3(E.H.) 3(B.Cl.) 3(Cbsn.) – 4 3 3 1; Timp. 3Perc. Hp. Pno. Str. 3(Picc.) 3(E.H.) 3(B.Cl.) 3(Cbsn.) - 4 3 3 1; Timp. 3Perc. Hp. Pno. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Commissioned by the American Composers Forum Continental Harmony Project for the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra and the Orquestra Sinfónica Nacional de Mexico
Premiere Information: October 1, 2004, Orquestra Sinfónica Nacional de Mexico, conducted by Enrique Diemecke. Mexico City
Additional Information: The complete Dos Visiones is a joint composition by Robert Maggio and Ana Lara. They each wrote three short piece, inspired by large-scale themes in the collection of the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach, California, making a joint work of six movements. They chose separate titles for their movements, based on a single art work that represented a larger theme in the collection. The music is a depiction of large-scale themes, such as National Identity and Humor/Irony.
Movements:
• Bearded Woman
• Self Portrait with Roots
• The Magician of the Rain
• these movements may also be performed separately
Tragicomedy for Chamber Orchestra (1990) -- 22'
1(Picc.) 1 1(B.Cl.) 1 - 1 1 1 0; 2Perc. Pno. Soli Str.(2Vln. Vla. Vcl. Cb.)
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: Wellesley Composers Conference, Efrain Guigui, conductor; August 22, 1990, Wellesley, MA
Bart Feller, flute.
 | Riddle for Clarinet, Violin, and Piano |
TOWSON UNIVERSITY Horizons
Towson University Chorale, conducted by Paul Rardin.
"Maggio’s music has real virtues: a light, active sense of texture, a good nose for drama, and a sophisticated but readily approachable tonal language."-Russell Platt, Strings"Robert Maggio does not fear being beautiful in his music which is both grand yet reticent, tuneful yet tough, gorgeous in sound yet lean in method. More important, Maggio is blessed with that ambiguous trait that can neither be bought nor faked: the knack for quickening our pulse."-Citation from the American Academy of Arts and Letters"…contains not one but several gems, and their luster brightens with frequent hearings… Maggio shows a real gift for creating gradually evolving structures that, despite a large-scale architecture, really do get somewhere in the end and do not collapse into minimalist stasis… he is obviously talented and has something to say."-Robert Carl, Fanfare
"Just as a cloud-streaked sky or gauze curtains fluttering in a window can unfetter the mind, these episodes proved capable of inducing a deep reverie. Maggio’s music, at its best, is deep and inspired."-David Gere, Oakland Tribune"…an exciting new talent in a composition that was both technically complex and very satisfying as a listening experience. Maggio, 28, writes in an idiom that is recognizably modern but plainly original… The overall impression was of freshness and exuberance, of a joy in making music and making it enjoyable for the listener."-Basil De Pinto, The Montclarion"…imaginative, whimsical, surprising and successful."-Cheryl Greger, Times Star"Maggio handles the orchestra with genuine flair, and the interactions of the brass and percussion sections give Imaginary Dances a certain punchy energy."-Joshua Kosman, San Francisco Chronicle
"His compositional vocabulary is wondrously eclectic, allwoing him to say exactly what he wished to express here."-Bert Wechsler, The New York Daily News"…an impressive orchestral essay based on the Oscar Wilde novel. Invention is rife here, with its contrast of youthful elation (gleefully intoned by the clarinet) and the cynicism of age (shards of sound at the end.)."-Mary Ellyn Hutton, The Cincinnati Post"…imaginative and vibrant… Its orchestration… proved striking."-James R. Oestreich, The New York Times
"Its brief five minutes are filled with drama and insight…On first hearing, all I wanted was to hear it again…the sparkle and vibrancy in the marriage of Whitman's words and the composer's vividly persuasive music announced a significant contribution to the American choral literature."-John Fidler, Reading Eagle [PA]
"…Yankee Doodle meets Daffy Duck and most points between… rousing crowd-pleaser…"-Susan Elliott, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"…lyrical, passionate, melodic, and rhythmically charged… a young composer who bears watching."-Stephen Hicken, American Record Guide
"…its rhapsodic, constantly fluctuating melodies, rhythms and meters impart a feeling of improvisation and spontaneity. In the hands of a capable soloist, Maggio’s piece will be a work of power and expressivity."-Jerry L. McBride, MLA Notes
"…the most ambitious…and was received with enthusiasm…Maggio's score was the most dynamic and effective."-Tracie Fellers, The Herald Sun"It is a very fine piece, colorful and expressive. It easily stands alone as a musical experience, without the choreography. A very important release from a young composer who bears watching."-American Record Guide
"…dynamic, fierce… distinctive… celebratory."-Daniel Webster, The Philadelphia Inquirer"The first movement, titled ‘Aggressive,’ opens with loud dissonances, quick swells, abrupt meter changes, and rapid-fire exchange between violin and piano. The second movement, ‘Tender, Conciliatory,’ provides a marked contrast and reaction to the first, with slow, gentle lines and soft dynamic levels."-American String Teacher
"…[Maggio has written] genuinely effective passages in this interesting work, particularly the intense finale, and the earlier meditative and finely nuanced musings… A real challenge, therefore, which at seven minutes duration does not outstay its welcome."-Duke Dobing, Pan
"Maggio's music speaks directly in a comprehensible language of dark-hued colors which often touch the heart."-T.J. Medrek, The TAB"The real find on the disc is the young Philadelphia composer Robert Maggio's Desire-Movement... This is a composer whose career merits close attention."-Roger Oyster, Gay and Lesbian Literature in Print"…a now turbulent, now serene work, pits bright soaring flights of flutes against the dusky, brusque rumbling of cellos before joining their voices in empathy."-Bruce Michael-Gelbert, New York Native"…minimalistic yet achingly romantic"-Tom Samiljan, Time Out New York"The piece explores dualities of mind and of heart, while also probing the special dualities inherent in its unique instrumentation."-American Record Guide"Two Quartets is memorable for, among other things, the soaring flute and cello pyrotechnics and for the lovely way instruments blend to achieve a wide range of effects."-Ken Keuffel Jr., The Pennsylvania Gazette
"This was no calming Buddhist ‘Ohm’ evocation. For Maggio, the inward search of Daphne and by extension the audience, is scary, filled with eerie night-music, whispers and whimpers."-Paul Somers, Classical New Jersey
"…four well-known old tunes that were favorites of his adopted daughter. The tunes…are surrounded with concepts that contribute to several moments of real emotional meaning…
Thanks, Robert, I think you have something special there."-D. Moore, American Record Guide"…honest and sincere.
…musical invention, subtle wit, and theatrical timing…
You just want to hear it again…"-David Patrick Stearns, Philadelphia Inquirer
"The piece began with a solemn reading of names of the dead over thickly layered voices of the chorus, and hauntingly skeletal symphonic creations. The listener then journeyed through a musical jigsaw puzzle whose pieces ranged from somber uncertainty to a tender acceptance. During the fifth movement, passages from letters were read and sung with a raw beauty that stung."-Beth Buchanan, The Washington Post
"… an attractive work of passionate power and surpassing grace… it was the music that mattered: rich, inviting, rhythmically intriguing music that expressed the passions of two cultures and celebrated two rich and diverse kinds of music."-
"…casual quasi-tonalities and loping lines."-Miriam Seidel, Philadelphia Inquirer
"…Debussy-inflected colors; hard-driving, hand-alternating rhythms, and onrushing episodes…"-Anthony Tommasini, The Boston Globe"…a jazz-inflected work of solidly idiomatic keyboard writing."-Will Crutchfield, The New York Times
Page last updated March 28, 2012
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