John Aylward

Koussevitzky Foundation Announces Commission Winners

John Aylward — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:52:34 +0000

It’s exciting news that the Library of Congress has officially announced the 2011-12 Koussevitzky Commission winners! Check it out here. I’m honored to be on the list!

Thanks to the Washington Square Contemporary Music Society!

John Aylward — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 22:40:46 +0000

Last week, the Washington Square Contemporary Music Society gave a commanding premiere performance of Aura, a new concerto for alto saxophone and ensemble. Louis Karchin conducted at the Tenri Cultural Institute in New York. Aura was written for the Serge Koussevitzky Music Foundation in the Library of Congress. Thanks for all involved: an amazing ensemble, and a fabulous soloist, Mary Joy Patchett.

You can listen to the premiere performance here:

A Great Performance at FCC!

John Aylward — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 21:45:14 +0000

Thanks to Mary Joy Patchett and John McDonald for a great performance of Compulsive Loves last Tuesday at the French Cultural Center. ECCE also gave amazing performances of Gerard Grisey’s Talea and Philippe Hurel’s Pour Luigi. Take a look at the pictures.

New Commission to Honor Milton Babbitt

John Aylward — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:45:58 +0000

I was honored when Perspectives of New Music asked me to compose a work for a special edition celebrating the life and work of Milton Babbitt. I chose to compose a work based on Babbitt’s Whirled Series. My new work, also for alto saxophone and piano, was recorded this past September by Mary Joy Patchett and John McDonald. The title, Compulsive Loves, comes from a beautiful quote by Italo Calvino describing the relationship of God’s and humans in Ovid’s Metamorphoses.

Stillness and Change CD Release at Harvard

John Aylward — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:40:33 +0000

Thanks to all for making our CD Release concert at Harvard so special! We had an amazing turnout of supporters and new-music lovers. It was a special treat to have Matthias Pintscher with us. He is a beautiful, magical artist and I feel blessed to with him! I’ll have some video and pictures of the event up shortly! For pictures, check out: eccensemble.com

Stillness and Change

John Aylward — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 04:42:43 +0000

My Debut Album, Stillness and Change is now available on Albany Records! Thanks to all those who contributed to this work! On October 26th, we will have a CD release event at the Radcliffe Institute, where I will be a fellow for the 2011-12 year. Stay tuned for more details about that event!

Photos from Tanglewood Grounds

John Aylward — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:03:55 +0000

Pictures from the Tanglewood Grounds

Tanglewood, Week 8

John Aylward — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 03:40:13 +0000

A few last photos from this amazing summer!

Koussevitzky Foundation

John Aylward — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 03:46:23 +0000

I just heard that I have been awarded a commission from the Koussevitzky Foundation to compose a work for the Washington Square Contemporary Music Society! What great news. Thanks to Brian Fennelly and Louis Karchin for all their support in sponsoring our application! This award comes at an amazing time since I am a fellow at Tanglewood this summer and Serge Koussevitzky founded the festival.

Tanglewood, Week 6

John Aylward — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 03:25:47 +0000

Some excellent performances of composer fellow works here over the past few weeks. My work Images of Departure was expertly performed by Derek Mosloff, viola and Nolan Pearson, piano. Two amazing players! Below are a few quick after-performance pictures.