Grammy-winning composer, pianist and conductor, Joan Tower, has been said to be “one of the most successful women composers of all time” by The New Yorker. This year she’s celebrating her 80th birthday and we’ve chosen to talk to her about her most memorable works and stories. The Grammy-award winning Made in America made the cut and you’ll be surprised by Joan’s insight on how the piece came to be.
Composer Spotlight: Joan Tower
Composer Joan Tower. (Courtesy Bernard Mindich)
Playlist
Fanfare No. 1 for the Uncommon Woman
Marin Alsop, Conductor; Colorado Symphony Orchestra
Black Topaz
Laura Flax, Clarinet; Patricia Spencer, Flute; Deborah Moore, Jonathan Haas, Percussion; Stephen Gosling, piano; Mike Powell*, trombone; Chris Gekker, trumpet
Silver Ladders
Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra; Leonard Slatkin, conductor
Petroushskates
Eighth Blackbird
Made in America
Nashville Symphony; Leonard Slatkin, conductor