ensemble women’s chorus (SSAA) and mixed nonet (flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, 2 violins, viola, ‘cello, bass)
duration 11 minutes
written summer 2012
commissioned by Present Music
premièred November 18, 2012 Milwaukee, WI
published by Andres & Sons Bakery
Comfort Food was written for Present Music’s annual Thanksgiving Concert. Taken from an informal survey of friends, family, and members of the Milwaukee Choral Artists, the text moves from pedestrian and earthly food items, through an episode of depressants, and finally into the somewhat metaphysical.
Critic Tom Strini wrote about the piece for Third Coast Digest.
Nutella
buttered toast
pastina
pasta with peperoncino, garlic, and olive oil
kedgeree
liver and onions
fish and chips the English way
ramen
my mother’s meatloaf
pancakes
red wine
chicken noodle soup
matzoh ball soup
red-cooked pork belly
rye whiskey
potatoes of almost any kind
solitude
walking
cats
quiet
company
a good chair
my own bed
“Sense and Sensibility” with Emma Thompson
take-out Chinese food on Christmas Eve
the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person
Prokofiev seventh symphony
Listen
recorded live, November 18, 2012
performers Sharon Hansen, conductor; Milwaukee Choral Artists; Present Music
Hi – just ‘discovered’ you from a post on a ‘lesser-known’ composers’ site !
In a thread about ‘are there any great composers left’ !
Well, you got a mention, with Mulhy, Auerbach & Kats-Chernin – is that good ??
Anyway, had heard of them, so decided to check out Andres on Google, and here I am.
Lovely little Christmas present, to discover a ‘new’ composer’s site….and explore. Fun so far, thank you !
Happy Christmas – will be back.
Hey Timo,
A really moving and beautiful piece.
Did you happen to have Chinese Take-out last night?
Happy Holidays,
Lars
Thank you, Lars! Not much takeout Chinese to be had in Roxbury, CT, and if there was, I’m not sure you’d want it? All best. T