|
Comments On our Work By Professionals
Note: To view Abbie's video interviews of colleagues click here.
Comments About Our Work
Prof. of Trombone Univ. of Toronto
trombonist of the
Baltimore Symphony
Chair of the Eastern Trombone Workshop
and
Director of the MidAmerican Music Center for Contemporary Music
“We had a stunning concert in the Gallery at Deep Listening Space: A world class trombone player and a world class piece of music. Last night was a magical moment in musical life - a great performer and great music carefully prepared and lovingly composed and played. It is a rare occasion when so many factors coalesce to create a special moment in musical life. The music was beautiful, expressive, moving and grand. It was symphonic in it’s breadth and depth - wonderful uses of electronic sound and sampling - the trombone brought breath, presence and scope. If you are anywhere near one of their concerts it is a must attend! ... it was a remarkable highlight of our 13 years of presentations.” --Pauline Oliveros, internationally renowned composer top
Thank you for bringing your musical message to share with us, and for delivering it with such artistry and sincerity. Your ability to express the ineffable through your composition and performance is rare, making the experience of hearing profound. Please let us know if your plans for the future include Texas. We would want to come hear your music again. And, Abbie, thank you for the positive and supportive effect you have had over the years. --Andy Russell, trombonist
“It
was every performer’s nightmare: the
last note faded away into stillness, yet the hall was silent, and remained
silent. But then suddenly it became
every performer’s dream as the audience erupted into wild applause and
delivered a standing ovation which continued bow after bow. With tears
streaming down my face as I rose and joined the others, I was reminded why I
had become a musician: I wanted to
affect people, as Abbie Conant had just affected me with her performance of
William Osborne’s performance-art piece “Miriam: Part II.” --Monique Buzzarte, Free-lance trombonist, New York City top
“Before much time gets by, I want to tell you your presentation at Edison Theater last night was truly amazing! I was so impressed and envious of you’re freedom and ability to do so much so well! It was pure pleasure to participate as audience for something so riveting and almost death-defying! You could feel the electricity flow. Even these words are very inadequate…” --Julie Studebaker, first horn Gewandhaus Orchestra, Amsterdam top
The performance you gave was absolutely profound. Your exquisite musicianship, dramatic commitment and your simultaneously elegant and powerful trombone playing illuminated the works performed to perfection. The works themselves were sublime; frightening, funny, terrifyingly beautiful, powerful and brimming over with humanity. This was a stunning, engaging and enlightening experience. Thank you!
Yesterday, I had the pleasure
of attending a talk and concert by one of the world's most accomplished and
polished trombone virtuosi, Abbie Conant. She and her husband (both New Mexico
natives, I might add), composer William Osborne, collaborated on a two large
multimedia performance art pieces, which were presented last night here in
Redlands. --Anthony Suter, Prof. of Compostion, Redlands University
It was wonderful to have you both here - the
students really learned a lot from your visit, about what performing really is
and can encompass, about musicianship, and much more. Your performance was
something of the type that most of them had not seen before, opening up their
minds to what possibilities there are. Abbie's masterclass was also very
informative, and made a big difference in the students' approaches to the
pieces that they played.
Thanks so much
for taking the time to visit our campus and work with our students. Your
gender studies talk, master class, and concert were all so inspiring. This
was such a rich experience for students and faculty, and your artistry,
enthusiasm, and obvious love for performing and teaching made a significant
impact on all of us.
It was great to
be able to have Abbie visit --Andrew Molloy, Prof. of Trombone, Cal State Northridge
What a pleasure
it was to have you here! I think we all felt moved and inspired by your
story and your incredible playing. It is great that you are stretching our
ears and sense of musical possibility with your multimedia concerts. Combine
that with your great teaching in the master class, and we get a sense of the
depth and breadth of your musicality. Thank you for sharing your and
William's work with us. I hope we'll be able to have you back!
You were great and the kids loved you. Abbie Conant is truly a wonderful trombone player and teacher. She has been at USC on two separate occasions and did an excellent job with my students both times. It is always good to bring in outside teachers from time to time and I can think of none better than Abbie. She has a soft spoken style which imparts a calming atmosphere regarding the master class which allows the students to play their best. I highly endorse Abbie. She is a terrific person and trombone player." --Terry Cravens, Prof. of Trombone, USC
So neat to see you two. Such a special treat! --Stuart Dempster, Emeritus Prof of Trombone, University of Washington
It was a pleasure having you headline Trombone Day and fun playing Euphonie! Trombone Day 2009 at California State University, Fullerton was a big success in no small part due to the participation of Abbie Conant and her husband, William Osborne. In addition to performing a work of epic proportion, Music for the End of Time (with Mr. Osborne handling the several technical requirements of the piece) to close out the day, my studio benefited greatly from a truly masterful Master Class presented by Ms. Conant. The CSUF trombone ensemble enjoyed very much performing Mr. Osborne's new work for trombone choir and tuba, Euphonie. A great time was had by all! --Bob Sanders, Prof. of Trombone, Cal State Fullerton
I was thrilled with the classes and recital. The students are still talking about it! Just getting the chance to visit with you helps me keep the motivation to keep at it.
My students loved the recital, the master class and the talk at lunch. One of the highlights to some of them was when you spoke informally with them in my studio following the luncheon. This was very gracious and appreciated by all. Your work with composition, performance and pedagogy is all excellent, and we were fortunate to have someone like yourself serve as our guest artist this year. Your work and that of Bill's will be remembered for a long time. We also appreciate the website availability of some of your solo and collaborative efforts. 'Rachel's Lament' had a profound effect on my students. You are reaching the souls of many people with work such as yours and William's. Please extend our gratitude also to Bill, his dedication toward the art form, the preciseness of performance, and comments at the performance were all appreciated. --Dr. Robert Lindahl, Prof. of Trombone, Central Michigan University
“I left Abbie Conant’s performance of William Osborne’s ‘Street Scene for theLast Mad Soprano’ and ‘Music for the End of Time’ in a state of total awe. They’ve raised the standards for all of us and greatly expanded the concept of what a solo trombonist can do. She’s so damn good!!!” --Tom Plsek,
Chairperson of the Brass Department, Berklee School of Music, Boston
top
“The class had a wonderful discussion about your visit...some of the students seemed as moved by the experience as I was, and it really marked a turning point in the course. I think the students have been more engaged in the overall topic since then...a very great help indeed!” --Deborah Rohr, Prof. of Music and Women’s Studies, Skidmore College top It
is a true testament to the quality of your work that it is still being
discussed by undergraduates years after you have been here.
Comments that you made to my students have been carried with them
through master classes and performances.
One of my students told me that one of your recordings is his
favorite of that particular work, and that he likes what you bring to it. Your comments on posture and articulation have been particularly helpful. Thanks again for the clinics and performances!
--Ross Walter, Prof. of Trombone, Virginia Commonwealth University
The 'Mad Soprano’ is an experience not to be missed; no matter what one’s relation to the subject matter, the emotional impact is heart-wrenching and poignant. ‘Music For The End of Time’ is an absolutely unbelievable virtuosic display; I saw people spell-bound, I saw people shaken and I saw people weep. The masterclasses I attended were unlike any I had ever seen before; Abbie unfailingly addressed the human behind the instrument which, along with superb technical guidance, engineered clear and exciting progress with each student. Witnessing such a staggering level of playing, singing, theatrical performance and communication by a woman, as well as a decidely female version of teaching, is an astounding and life-changing experience for players of my vintage who may well have never seen such a thing. We never doubted...”
--Susan Dustan, Free lance trombonist,
Toronto top “What a lovely concert you gave at Kenyon! The students AND faculty talked about it for days afterward, and it was indeed a pleasure to hear *in person* what we thought we would hear! I have never heard a trombonist that I enjoyed as much--and it’s nice to have a CD to remind me of your playing!” --Prof. Ben Locke, Music Department
Chairperson, Kenyon College top “Abbie’s performance in Toronto was enthusiastically received by the audience. [A standing Ovation.] “Street Scene for the Last Mad Soprano” was both electrifying and riveting. Combined with “Music for the End of Time,” in which Abbie takes trombone performance into newer heights, the evening recital was both a stunning and moving experience. Abbie’s husband, William Osborne, has written and produced some very impressive material as a vehicle for Abbie’s talents. The next day at a clinic presented at the University of Toronto, Abbie displayed a genuine, positive interest in the students in which she worked. Her jovial, relaxed manner of presentation was well received by all present. She seems to have a natural ability to express her ideas in a way that everyone could easily understand. All in all, a very worthwhile 2 days.”
--Frank
Harmantas, 2nd Trombone Toronto Symphony and top
Prof.
of Trombone Univ. of Toronto “...it is inspiring to see a player of Abbie Conant’s caliber who has broken the gender barrier. Her power as a teacher is just as amazing and astounding as her playing. Her workshop and performance of “Music for the End of Time” left me speechless and musically stimulated. Abbie as a person, trombone player, and performer moved me greatly and left me boundlessly inspired. She is not just an inspirational woman, she is inspirational and a woman which is much more meaningful.”
--Erika Eichner, Student at the Oberlin
Conservatory top “What a remarkable duo you have become, and continued excellence is the norm for both of you. You were again the highlights of the Eastern Trombone Workshop. I hope the International Trombone Workshop sees your value and understands the incredible contribution you are making towards the ART of trombone playing.” --Master Sargent Scott Shelsta, US Army
Band, Chair top
of the Eastern Trombone Workshop “Abbie came to us after a horrendous night of theft and loss to give a spontaneous, inspiring, and intriguing session on the political and gender issues of our profession as well as performing beautifully for us and instructing the members of our brass class at Yale on the art of ‘tromboning’. Her ‘reading’ of the class was masterful and her empathy with the people who performed, most impressive.”
--John
Swallow, Prof. of Trombone, Yale University
top “...what you are both doing with music was truly a turning point for me musically and as a trombonist, and in many ways as a person. The two of you are truly breaking ground with the way you reach an audience. Sitting there listening to ‘Music for the End of Time’ was a journey not a concert. I was terrified, enraputured, awed, and sometimes just visualising beautiful landscapes. Your performances trigger a response which is very unlike any other concert I have attended.” --Dr.
Cynthia Yuschyshyn, top
“It was a great pleasure to have you as our guests. Your performance was very moving -- intense, dramatic; it was obvious that the audience was very engaged in what was happening. Thanks for giving us another side of your marvelous talents.”
--Marilyn Shrude, Prof. of Composition,
Bowling Green State University top
and
Director of the MidAmerican Music Center for Contemporary Music “I found “Music for the End of Time” and its performance engrossing and enjoyable, and I was repeatedly impressed with Abbie’s extraordinary emotional focus and physical and mental stamina. I enjoyed the traditional elements in the composition, not just because they were there, but because they were employed with imagination, and I liked the way the trombone playing sustained the work’s broad expanse.”
--David Fetter, Assistant Dean Peabody
Conservatory of Music and former
trombonist of the Baltimore Symphony top “The ‘sister’ pieces, as William Osborne describes them, ‘Street Scene for the Last Mad Soprano’ and ‘Music for the End of Time’ are complex, rich in allusion, profound in signification... The sounds surround, ranging from delicate glass-tinkling bells to earth-shaking thunder, from the familiar snatches of those patriarchally laden putting-women-in-their- ‘place’ oh-so-lovely-and-haunting arias to unanticipated swirls and swoops and crashes and, yes, silences... The dynamic range is mountainous... This is music which leads one through heights and depths. It is a sonic mirror into which we can peer and hear reflected our darkest aspects, together with glimmers of hope.”
--Norman Lowrey, Prof. of Composition,
Drew University top “The Toronto portion of Abbie Conant’s North American tour was highly successful. An outstanding presentation of “Street Scene for the Last Mad Soprano” and “Music for the End of Time” before a large audience at the Concert Hall of The Royal Conservatory was followed by a well deserved standing ovation. Abbie’s gentle coaching at the Masterclass on Tuesday at the University of Toronto will surely be of benefit not only to the four students who played, but also to all of us who listened. Abbie Conant is a truly wonderful player and I am pleased to have been able to have been involved with her visit. --Dave Buckley, Concert Agent, Hamilton, Ontario top
"Abbie Conant is one of the finest trombonists worldwide. Her beautifully
vibrant and warm sound matched with her technical mastery of the instrument are
beyond compare. Conant's performance of "Street Scene For the Last Mad Soprano" by William Osborne mesmerized the audience with its strong emotional
content. Among the college music majors, Conant's recital created a stir of
discussion for several days about the meaning and importance of avant-garde music. While some modern audiences feel the need to be entertained and to tap
"At last, a RELEVANT trombone recital. If this is what music of the 21st Century sounds like, bring it on. Many of our students were forced
to expand their definition of art and deal with issues like whether music is just for entertainment or can it contain the negatives of human
existence as well. That Abbie Conant has channeled some of these negatives into such a positive outpouring should be an inspiration
to us all."
Everyone in attendance at your performance of "Street Scene for the Last Mad Soprano" and "Music for the End of Time" were surely deeply touched and moved by your work. I have heard many effusive compliments from members of the community, faculty, and many students regarding the tremendous amount of care and detail apparent in the craftsmanship of your work, and in Abbie's dramatic, powerful performance. This truly was a tour de force, something special and altogether different. The performance of your Wired Goddess compositions was truly a spectacular evening of brilliant music -- entirely new conceptions in the field of trombone perfomrance. Your virtuosic perfomrances did great justice to very difficult music, helped the listener approach entirely unfamiliar styles of music, and hear the beauty in every composition. -- Christopher Nigrelli, (Prof. of trombone, Lenoir-Rhyne College) top
It was a wonderful two day happening for the trombone studio and all of the
others who --Art Jennings (Prof. of Trombone, Univ. of Florida) top
It was wonderful having you in
Gainesville--I enjoyed your presentation and concert very much, and I also was very happy to meet you and William. The presenation for our composition
students was a real eye-opener for them. They now have a much more complete
picture of the compositional possibilities of the trombone! And the music --Mark Engebretson (Prof. of Composition, Univ. of Florida.) top
It
is a true testament to the quality of your work that it is still being
discussed by undergraduates years after you have been here.
Comments that you made to my students have been carried with them
through master classes and performances.
One of my students told me that one of your recordings is his
favorite of that particular work, and that he likes what
you bring to it. Your comments
on posture and articulation have been particularly helpful.
--Ross Walter (Prof. of Trombone, Virginia Commonwealth University)
|
Pauline
Oliveros, internationally reknowned composer
