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In this first biography of eminent American composer, pianist, conductor, and teacher Leon Kirchner (1919-2009), Robert Riggs paints a vivid picture of an extraordinary, multi-faceted musician. Refugees from Hitler's Third Reich (Schoenberg, Bloch, and Stravinsky) dominated Kirchner's early development, and he in turn became a transformative mentor for later generations at the University of Southern California, Mills College, and Harvard University. Kirchner's performance persona is brought to life by highlighting his appearances with top orchestras and at major festivals, especially his long tenure at the Marlboro Music Festival, where he worked with Rudolf Serkin and Pablo Casals. Current champions of his music (Yo-Yo Ma, Leon Fleisher, and James Levine) are also key protagonists. Kirchner's entire oeuvre is discussed within the chronological narrative, and six representative works are examined in detail. In addition to Riggs's extensive interviews with the composer, the biography is documented with Kirchner's colorful correspondence from a roster of luminaries: Saul Bellow, Leonard Bernstein, Edward Cone, Aaron Copland, Darius Milhaud, Isaac Stern, Roger Sessions, and many others. Excerpts from Kirchner's own elegantly written essays and speeches complete the portrait and reveal his highly personal, romantic view of music as powerful art capable of endowing humanity with an aesthetic sensibility and protective wisdom, without which we cannot survive. ... Read more

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Leon Fleisher performed this piece when it debuted in December 1995 at New York City's Carnegie Hall. 7 minutes. ... Read more

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Commissioned jointly by the BBC and the Royal Philharmonic Society as part of their New Generation Artists scheme. The first performance was given by pianist Jonathan Biss at the City of London Festival, 2003. 6 minutes. ... Read more

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Interlude ... Read more

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For Violin, Cello, and Piano. The premiere performance of this Trio was given on December 14, 1993 in New York City. ... Read more

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for Chamber ensemble. ... Read more

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Five Pieces for Piano - To Be Played in One Movement (1987) ... Read more

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This 14-minute piece was commissioned by Richard and Judith Hurtig and Viola and Richard Morse in memory of Felix Galimir. It was debuted at the Marlboro Music Festival in Marlboro, Vermont in July 2002. ... Read more

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Music for Orchestra (1988 Revision) ... Read more

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A revision of the 1971 solo flute piece composed for flutist Paula Robison. This is the first posthumously published work of American composer Leon Kirchner (1919-2009) who passed away this September. ... Read more