News Articles
For Your Grammy Consideration – Best Contemporary Classical Composition
"Time and Again" is a piano sonata in four movements composed for my friend and colleague Anna Kislitsyna. The word "Time" in the title refers to the extraordinarily surreal pandemic year of 2020, and the word "Again" refers to my second opportunity to work with Anna. Anna and Ovidiu Marinescu recorded my sonata for cello [...]
Alternative Facts for Organ
Alternative Facts for Organ was composed for my long-time friend and colleague James Walker. Originally written for piano, A.F. was composed as a reaction to the 2016 presidential campaign, election, and subsequent inauguration of the previous president, and has only become more relevant. A.F. is discombobulating, confounding, frenetic, all of the [...]
Alternative Facts for Organ
Arriving September 23 - James Walker performs Alternative Facts for Organ on a new album from Navona. Alternative Facts for Organ (2021) Alternative Facts was originally composed for Piano Solo (2019) in reaction to the 2016 presidential campaign, election, and subsequent inauguration of the 45th president. Ever since he announced [...]
Piano Spectrums with Anna Kislitsyna
Ten contemporary composers share their works on PIANO SPECTRUMS, a profoundly emotive selection of aesthetic contemporary pieces performed by Anna Kislitsyna. Today, Bruce is our featured artist in “The Inside Story,” a blog series exploring the inner workings and personalities of our composers and performers. Read on to learn about his compositional [...]
Anna Kislitsyna Earns a Standing Ovation
Anna Kislitsyna earned a standing ovation following her June 24 solo recital at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. She performed ten works including my four-movement piano sonata "Time and Again."
Remembering Hugo Friedhofer
Remembering Hugo on the 121st anniversary of his birth, May 3, 2022 - By Bruce Babcock One must be of a certain age to remember Hugo Friedhofer, but not to know his music. I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to study privately with Hugo for two years [...]
A new solo album from Anna Kislitsyna – releasing April 8, 2022
Anna's new Navona album includes my latest piece "Time and Again," written especially for her. She will premiere the work at her solo recital at Carnegie Hall on June 24, 2022.
Happy Birthday, Alfred Newman!
I entered the business too late to have known Al personally, but I certainly felt his influence. My mentors, Earle Hagen and Hugo Friedhofer, both knew and admired Al. Earle was hired by Al at age 27 to work on staff at 20th. Hugo was also on the staff at [...]
January 12, 2022 Carnegie Hall concert POSTPONED due to Omicron Surge
The Sirius Quartet performance of my piece, Watcher of the Sky, at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, on Wednesday, January 12, 2022 has been postponed indefinitely due to the Omicron COVID-19 surge in New York City. It will be rescheduled when possible.
Desmond Tutu 1931-2021
All Unto Me “And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me.” John 12:32. "All Unto Me” is a tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, a longtime friend of All Saints Church, Pasadena, and was composed to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the church. [...]
The American Prize 2021 – Praise for Alternative Facts
Alternative Facts received very nice judge's comments from The American Prize 2021 competition. Many thanks to Emmy & Grammy-winning pianist Gloria Cheng, and Grammy-winning engineer Rich Breen.
October/November – The Beau Soir Ensemble performs SpringScape
Several recent and upcoming concerts by the wonderful Washington, D. C. based Beau Soir Ensemble have included my SpringScape, with Ruth Wicker, viola, Carole Bean, flute & Michelle Lundy, harp. Concerts thus far include performances in Bethesda, MD, Reston, VA, and Gettysburg, PA.
