alexmarthaler


Intriguing Tunes, Vol. 3

With August comes another set of Intriguing Tunes– here is Volume 3! “Mountain Songs: No 1. Barbara Allen” – Robert Beaser This simple duo for flute and guitar comes from Robert Beaser, a contemporary American composer who has used many folk influences in his music and is very reminiscent of composer Lukas […]


“What do paintings sound like?”

In July, The Telegraph published this article about a special installation at The National Gallery in London. Titled “Soundscapes,” the project has invited six composers to choose paintings from the collection and provide a musical accompaniment or response. There is a diverse range of composers, from New-York-based composer Nico Muhly […]


Intriguing Tunes, Vol. 2

I started this project in June, where I post what new, interesting, or inspiring music discoveries I found during the last month. The second set, here is Intriguing Tunes, Vol. 2! “Cuban Landscape With Rhumba” – Leo Brouwer The first one comes from Cuban composer Leo Brouwer, performed by the Dublin Guitar Quartet. It […]


About “Turning in Air”

Last winter, I composed “Turning in Air” for a reading session put on by the Carnegie Mellon Wind Ensemble. Working with a large number of players gives you new opportunities, but also new challenges, particularly on the back end. Once the composing is finished, the process of preparing and proofreading […]


Intriguing Tunes, Vol. 1 121

I spend a lot of time searching for and listening to music, and I wanted to find a way to share the ones that I’ve found particularly interesting. I’m going to post once a month about the three or four tunes that I’m listening to on repeat. Here’s the inaugural batch of […]


John Luther Adams and Arvo Pärt: Music and Mysticism

Music can also be a form of contemplation: the sensual reaching for the spiritual.   –John Luther Adams, “Winter Music,” 140   Earlier this year, I was researching Arvo Pärt, the contemporary Estonian composer (often considered a holy minimalist, and known for his “tintinnabular music” including Tabula Rasa and Fratres), and […]