Remembering Telluride

Recently I met an old acquaintance Marcus for lunch (at the Icebreaker IV Festival in Seattle...he has also studied with my mom) He reminded me of the Composer-to-Composer festival in Telluride Colorado that ran from 1988-1991. This was an awesome affair - composers from all around the world come to this little town tucked away in the mountains near Denver (normally a ski town) to listen and share.

I went to this thing for two summers...this is where I was introduced Louis Andriessen, who’s “Worker’s Union” is one of the two single most influential pieces for me (the other being Messiaen’s Turangalila Symphony). As my mom was also featured in the festival, I got to hang out with all the folks...I played with Zakir Hussain’s daughter, chatted with the other composers, was able to hear some of Louis’ new opera before it was finished, met and was introduced to the music of Conlon Nancarrow (when the organizer of the festival, Charles Amirkhanian, had just “discovered him”) and got to see some surprisingly lively discussions between John Cage and Anthony Davis. I was just beginning to identify as a “composer” and realizing that I was going to commit to this path, and so being around these brilliant creators was mind blowing for me. I will never forget it.

Well, after Marcus reminded me that we had met there, he also said he would send me a program or something from the festival...it’s one of those things that most people say they will do but never do. He did one better - a full poster...thanks Marcus - that was real sweet.

-md