Steven Block (b.1952, NYC) has appeared in the various personae of composer, music theorist, music critic, pianist, and both classical radio and disco d.j., among others. His compositions have been performed worldwide including performances in Australia, Paris, and Poland. His articles as a music theorist and music critic have appeared in such journals and magazines as Perspectives of New Music, Integrales, Music Theory Spectrum, the Journal of Music Theory, the Annual Review of Jazz Studies, and High Fidelity.
In 1992, Block received the first University of New Mexico award for excellence in teaching and in 1993 he was a UNM Faculty Scholar. His orchestral work, “Shadows,” has been released on MMC Recordings (MMC 2064) and is available directly from MMC, amazon.com, borders.com, or your local retail outlet. A complete catalog of Block’s published works by American Composers Editions can be found at www.composers.com.
“His skillful use of tuned percussion gives several passages a gamelanlike quality reminiscent of Messaien. The long-note passages…and their harmonic suspensions are wonderful. I impatiently await the completion of this Symphony” —William Zagorski, Fanfare
Steven Block is the chair of the department of music at the University of New Mexico. His most recent article appeared in Music Library Notes, Fall 2000, a review of Walter Everett’s book, The Beatles as Musicians. He is currently working on a book, The Improvisor’s Art: Free Jazz, to be published as part of the Institute for Jazz Studies series published by Scarecrow Press.
He is also an active mediator, participating in several mediations every month for the court system and Dispute Resolution organizations and is sometimes asked to coach new mediators for private organizations (http://www.mediationworks.com).
Audio Links
The links below are high-definition MP3s of some of Dr. Block’s work.
String Quartet No. 2, 1989 (excerpts of 4 movements)
Mvmt. 1
Mvmt. 2
Mvmt. 3
Mvmt. 4
Piece in Two Parts for Flute and Harpsichord, 1997
Featuring Valerie Potter, flute and Susan Patrick, harpsichord
Oh Llama de amor viva, 1991
Featuring Brad Ellingboe, baritone
Shadows
Shadows has been released on compact disc in the compilation MMC New Century, Volume IX.
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