Dean Rosenthal (b. 1974) is a bona fide American composer, residing in Florence, Massachusetts, outside of Northampton. Here on MySpace, you’ve found one of the few public realms where his music appears, but now "Underpinnnings" can be heard on the 2007 release "Post-Minimalism" by the French label, Trace.
In 1996, while studying at McGill University, he led a group known as the Montréal Scratch Orchestra in a "splendid" rendition of Cornelius Cardew’s The Great Learning that was acclaimed by the new music magazine Musicworks, beginning his public career in music.
He tells the story, "When I first began composing, as a high school student, I began recording my music, just like my early pieces, such as "Rear Ended Pinto" and "His Majesty". I eventually "graduated" to notation somehow, and set off from there - only to find more and more fascinating combinations of notes than ever before.."
In late 1997, as a student, Morton Subotnick, a composer based in New York, commissioned a series of pieces he named "Portraits" from him and he completed new aural "pictures" of other composers and musicians (these were eventually broadcast by the silver-tongued Joan La Barbara on her radio program, "Other Voices, Other Sounds" in Albuquerque, New Mexico).
And he met and mixed with new music stars of all stripes. He says of that time, "In California, I met all kinds of composers - rock stars, really - and other fascinating artists, critics, and creative types - Alan Rich, David Behrman - I performed with him at CalArts - Chen Yi, Charlie Haden, Stephen "Lucky" Mosko, too..." Still enrolled, he wrote "Underpinnings," which after years of neglect found a home somewhere in Paris in the form of a recording, actually taken from the premiere of the piece.
Starting to write music down again in 1998, he took up composing, performing, lecturing and teaching, and performed in the Oliveros "Lunar Opera" of 2000. Of his work between 2000 and today, he says, "I’ve been pretty destitute, but composing never took the backseat if I just couldn’t keep my life together, which is like most people with that problem, if you generalize about that sort of thing," and laughed.
thanks for the add. man, when did we ever say THAT before myspace.. sigh. hope you're enjoying being reunited w/ the cumby's mug. hey check out my 1st track on my profile; just learning garage band. who needs sleep? love to K. peace...
Yeah, just sign up for our mailing list, and you'll get all the details on the free album copy in about a month. Sign up for our mailing list by sending a blank email to list@opelmusic.org .
Dean-
Your comment disappeared!! Strange... Anyway, thanks for the message and the info. I'll be sure to check out the Caravan of Dreams!
I really like your new piano piece!! Have you written anything for flute and piano?? ; )
Carol
Hi Dean - thanks for making contact. I enjoyed "Underpinnings" very much. Will let you know when I have posted my music including the Terry Riley piece. Regards, Mark Jenkins (Modulus)
Great music. Great variety!
Underpinnings: what a bold gamble, and it paid off big time! You Rascal.
Movement for Strings is simply beautiful.
Antinomy is strangely moving.
Very happy to make your (virtual) acquaintance!
Please keep in touch.
~Dan B.
Hey man, we really like your music. It's really cool and original.
Eventually, we'll post a song so you can hear what we sound like. Basically, what we do is take classical music and kick in in the balls.
Sincerely,
-The Book
nonchalance + talent = elegance. Your work is great. I was at Henri Dutilleux's birthday party tonight. He's 90! You have some time left! ami de la musique, bonsoir.
my friend.. wow.. these sounds have taken my mind into the black holes that can only be described as mesmerizing, and reaps the golden fruits of cosmic consciousness. its so inspiring sir, and im honoured to have made a non tangible cyber aquaintance with you. we should talk about music.
love,
mckinley
Dean- Thanks for the kind words. I really like your music too, especially the Movement for String... (Quartet right)? Please let me know whenever you post new songs!
Thanks! Carol
http://www.carolalban.altpro.net
