Eastman Showcase 2005
Prolific Mr. Puts
For several years, Kevin Puts (BM ’94, DMA ’99) received reviews describing him as a “promising composer” and “a young composer to watch.” But with a flurry of recent performances and prestigious commissions, Puts can now be described as one of America’s most important composers, period (he still is young, though). Currently assistant professor of composition at the University of Texas at Austin, Puts is remarkably prolific; his catalogue already includes three symphonies, several concertos, and many chamber works. His string quartet Dark Vigil, inspired by the recent rash of American high school shootings, was recently recorded by Eastman’s Ying Quartet, on their CD LifeMusic (Quartz Music).
And there is lots more to come: Puts started out the 2004-2005 season with the premiere of River’s Rush by Leonard Slatkin and the St. Louis Symphony, and next year will see the first performances of three major works: a percussion concerto for Evelyn Glennie, to be performed by her with the Pacific Symphony and the Utah Symphony; a Sinfonia Concertante for five instruments and orchestra, for the Minnesota Orchestra; and a cello concerto for Yo-Yo Ma in honor of David Zinman’s 70 th birthday, to be premiered at the Aspen Music Festival in June 2006.
For more information about Kevin Puts, and to hear excerpts from his music (including Dark Vigil), visit www.kevinputs.com.