Michael Torke’s recent music.
American composer Michael Torke first came into the spotlight during the mid-80s with orchestra and chamber music pieces like Ecstatic Orange, The Yellow Pages, and Vanada. He drew inspiration from classical music and pop, which became a style known as postminimalism.
Torke is one of the few composers who are lucky enough to live off of his assignments and royalties. Many prominent orchestras, ensembles, and musicians across the world perform his works. Still, something was missing… Torke wanted the freedom to compose something that was in his head, without the input of his clients. In recent years, Torke tried to reinvent himself by drawing inspiration from Bluegrass and Progressive House. He provides a complete explanation in an interview on YouTube, which has also been an essential source of information for this episode: https://youtu.be/BPv4QG1fyoI.
In his most recent release, Being (2020), Torke fulfilled his dream of composing, recording and releasing something all by himself.
Playlist:
- Michael Torke. Winter’s Tale, for Cello and Orchestra. Albany Symphony conducted by David Alan Miller; Julie Albers, solo cello. Albany Records Troy1643.
- Michael Torke. Spoon Bread. Tessa Lark, violin, and Roman Rabinovich, piano. Ecstatic Records: ER092281
- Michael Torke. Sky, Concerto for Violin. Tessa Lark, violin; Albany Symphony conducted by David Alan Miller. Albany Records, TROY1784
- Michael Torke. Being. American Modern Ensemble, conducted by Michael Torke. Ecstatic Records: ER092281
