Princeton Symphony Orchestra Premieres New Work by Hometown Composer

Apr 21

Apr 21 Princeton Symphony Orchestra Premieres New Work by Hometown Composer

Sarah Kirkland Snider didn't start out to be a contemporary classical composer, although music was what she loved as long as she could remember. In this podcast, the Princeton composer tells producer Susan Wallner how she was drawn to composing, the role of popular music in her work, and what it's like to be premiering her newest piece, "Hiraeth," in her hometown. The half-hour piece is dedicated to her father, and is accompanied by a film shot on location in his North Carolina hometown. "Hiraeth" was co-commissioned by the Princeton Symphony Orchestra, which will perform it on May 15, 2016. It's part of the PSO's year-long celebration of women composers. Sarah's song-cycle "Penelope" - called one of the top 5 genre-defying albums of 2010 by NPR - will be performed on May 17 by members of the PSO.

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Susan Wallner

Susan Wallner is a principal of PCK Media, an independent production company. She is the co-series producer of the public television program "State of the Arts," a job that has introduced her to a wealth of talent and artistic diversity over the years. Susan's documentaries and performance specials have aired nationally. Most recently, her profile of the writer, aviator and celebrity, "Anne Morrow Lindbergh: You’ll Have the Sky," won the 2017 Mid-Atlantic Emmy for Best Feature Writing (it was Susan's 15th regional Emmy win). Narrated by Judith Light and Lily Rabe, it aired throughout the country on PBS and PBS World, and is available on DVD. Currently, Susan is working on a documentary about the self-taught city planner, builder, and artist, Kea Tawana.