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The Silver Swan for Piano and Voice by Apostolos Paraskevas
Publication's Style:
Soft Cover
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The Silver Swan I composed this song back in the early nineties while I was experimenting with extended tonality. The melancholic text from this anonymous poet compelled me to use a more pensive style, but without deviating from the romantic style I had originally envisioned for this song. The form is almost a pronouncement, without any repeats or technical remedies of the cyclic forms we are more accustomed to from the romantic period, or from song writing in general. It is a simple story told just once. This piece is dedicated to composer Jakov Jakoulov who made me see the fine print of my music at that time.
About the composer
Described by Lukas Foss as an "extremely gifted guitarist and composer," Apostolos Paraskevas was born in Greece. He holds a doctorate (DMA), in composition from Boston University, and an Artist Diploma in guitar performance from the Modern Conservatory in Greece. Major teachers: Lukas Foss, Theodore Antoniou, Leo Brouwer. His appearances as a performer/composer and as a concerto soloist with major orchestras around the world include concerts in such venues such as Carnegie Hall/New York, Weill Recital Hall, Tsai Performance Center/Boston, Jordan Hall, the Athens Concert Hall/Athens, etc.
Fanfare magazine described him as “an amazingly versatile guitarist” and for his new CD Visions of Azure “a wonderful and essential guitar CD”. Classical Guitar magazine wrote: “Apostolos Paraskevas is a genuine innovator, a young and highly gifted musician" Awards: Grammy Nomination, Bridge Records/D. Starobin/1998, Honorary Diploma for the Arts (Cuba); Honorary Diploma, 1991 Guitarist of the Year (Greece); the Red Cross Diploma/1990; First Prize“Lukas Foss Composition Competition”/2000, First Prize “Greek Union of Conservatories Composition Competition (advanced category, 1996), Winner of the 1997 “Call for Scores” National Composers Conference (SCI); First Prize“I. Papaioanou Composition Competition” (Greece) 1997; A.P is a recipient of grants from the American Music Center, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the American Academy of Arts and Letters among others. Apostolos Paraskevas is the founder/Artistic Director of the International Guitar Congress-Festival in Greece/Corfu and a Professor at Berklee College of Music (composition/guitar departments) and Northeastern University. Major publications by Santerrelle Verlag (Germany), Guitarissimo (Sweden), Papagrigoriou-Nakas Music Publications, Centaur, Bridge Records, Clear Note (US) and NorthStar Publications (England). In January 2001 his work “Night Wanderings” was performed at Carnegie Hall with the National Festival Orchestra under the direction of Lukas Foss. Recent appearances of A.P as composer and soloist at Weill Hall/Carnegie Hall included performances of his Third and Fourth guitar concertos, at the Hamptons Music Festival with the Atlantic Chamber Orchestra with Lukas Foss conductor and with the Odessa Philharmonic Orchestra in Ukraine. PREVIEW
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