NEWS
East Meets West: Premiere Solo Guitar Works by Ian Krouse and Ronald Pearl
August 2024 saw the Naxos release of a CD performed by guitarist Robert Trent, which includes premiere recordings of Krouse’s epic, Roderick Usher’s ‘Phantasmion’, and Pearl’s Impromptu and Four At III, as well as Krouse’s The Little Match Girl (from Trois Tableaux d’Andersen), and Dror Yikro, and Pearl’s My Name is Red. The full release can be found here.
Falla Guitar Trio Re-release
In the summer of 2024, Krouse, working closely with his former band mate Kenton Youngstrom,completed the re-mastering of the 1982 Falla Guitar Trio’s “Virtuoso Music for Three Guitars.” The album, one of only two commercial recordings made by Ian Krouse as a guitarist (the other his cameo appearance on the LAGQ’s “Labyrinth”), was originally released as an LP on the Concord Concerto label to considerable critical acclaim, receiving a Best Record of the Year Award from Stereo Review Magazine in 1982. The newly mixed and mastered recording will be re-released by the Urtext Digital Classics record company.
New Recording Of Music For Two Pianos
Throughout 2024 and into 2025 Krouse is producing a CD of two piano music with the Webster-Zuber Sisters. The program will include three of Krouse’s works, Reverie, Blues and Elegy (which the sisters performed in Schoenberg Hall, May 22, 2023 as well as numerous other local venues), Folías, and Etude (‘ad fugam’), as well as works by Peter Golub and David Lefkowitz. The CD is slated for release in early 2025.
Krouse’s Fanfare for the Heroes of the Korean War At Carnegie Hall
10.23.2023
On October 23, 2023, Krouse’s Fanfare for the Heroes of the Korean War received its US premiere at Carnegie Hall, by the Seocho Philharmonia conducted by Maestro Jong Hoon Bae.
Krouse’s Second Symphony Performed and Recorded in Mexico City
10.22.2023
On October 21 and 22 at the Cancha de Tenis at the Complejo Cultural Los Pinos in Mexico City, eminent maestro Eduard García Barrios led the Orquesta Escuela Carlos Chávez, in the Mexican premiere of Krouse’s epic Second Symphony, Fantasia Federico García Lorca, with sopranos Érika Alcázar Macías and Alicia Gomezcaña Dávila, mezzo sopranos Norma Angélica Vargas and Carol Paola López de Lara Nava, baritone Gregorio González, and guitarist, Giovanni Piacentini. The work’s recording, accompanied by the premiere recording of Piacentini’s Guitar Concerto with Eliot Fisk, was recorded in the renowned Churubusco Studios over the course of four days. Joined by guitarist Adam del Monte, the new recording will be released by the Urtext Digital Classics label in winter, 2024-25. For the full article, click here.
Night On The Galactic Railroad Press Release
Commissioned by the National Children’s Chorus, and completed in 2022, Krouse’s second opera Night On The Galactic Railroad awaits its premiere performances. An opera for young people in two acts, the work is designed to showcase young singers, including extensive use of a children’s chorus. In this, and in its subject matter, a timeless and bittersweet story of two young boys who are best friends, the work is unique. In its 105 minutes the opera explores themes of love and selflessness, sacrifice and loss, God, and eternity. As the story approaches its climax, the Galactic Train pauses at the gates of Heaven, accompanied by the reverberations of children’s voices singing in nine different languages, including, in addition to Japanese and English, Korean, Chinese, Hindi, Spanish, and Luganda, among others.
The libretto in English and Japanese by the composer is based upon the two versions of the posthumous children’s book Ginga Tetsudō no Yoru by Kenji Miyazawa, published in Japanese (1934), with additional passages adapted from English translations of Kenji’s poetry by Hiroaki Sato. It also takes much inspiration from the beloved animated movie version of Kenji’s novel (1985) directed by Gisaburo Sugii.
The British Invasion and New Wave Are Back in a New Recording
05.22.2023
Guitarist William Kanengiser and the Alexander String Quartet celebrate this event and more in their delightful new recording, British Invasion, which pays tribute to the British musicians who conquered the musical world of their time with revolutionary explorations.
The pop music stars Sting, The Beatles, and Led Zeppelin, as well as the Elizabethan lutenist John Dowland all made a lasting impact far from the shores of England. On this recording their music serves as inspiration for compositions for guitar and string quartet by the contemporary composers Dušan Bogdanović, Léo Brouwer, and Ian Krouse.
Premiere of DADGAD II At UCLA
05.21.2023
Krouse conducted the premiere of his DADGAD II for tanbour, tombak, and string quartet on the occasion of the Diār concert at UCLA’s Schoenberg Hall on May 21, 2023, an evening celebrating Iranian music. The highly unusual work, a transformation of a cover by Led Zeppelin called Black Mountain Side, was performed by Sohrab Pournazeri, tanbour, Shahab Paranj, tombak, and the Iranshar String Quartet. More information can be found here.
Foghorn Classics | British Invasion | Kanengiser & ASQ
3.1.2023
William Kanengiser and the Alexander String Quartet pay tribute to a group of English musicians who conquered the musical world with their revolutionary explorations. From the Elizabethan lutenist John Dowland to pop/rock icons Sting, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin, these artists made a lasting impact far from the shores of their small island. Their music served as inspiration for a set of compositions for guitar and string quartet by talented composers Ian Krouse, Dušan Bogdanović and Léo Brouwer. It is especially appropriate that the guitar sits squarely at the center of these works, as the plucked string was the primary musical voice of these British innovators.
Krouse's Third American Madrigal Premiered by the Golden Bridge Ensemble
02.19.2022
Ian Krouse's Third American Madrigal, 'I Carry Your Heart', premiered tonight at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Beverly Hills, CA by the Golden Bridge Ensemble. Conducted and commissioned by director Suzi Digby, the work is one of several compositions by California composers that Digby paired with an English Renaissaince piece. Krouse's madrigal is paired with a work by Christopher Tye, which Krouse freely paraphrases throughout his madrigal. At the performance, Krouse noted what an honor it was to share a program with his teacher and mentor, Morten Lauridsen, who also had two works on the program.
Krouse completes three-day recording session for William Kanengiser album, The British Invasion
12.18.2021
Ian Krouse spent the last two and a half days in an intense recording session at UCLA Ostin Recording studio producing William Kanengiser's new album, The British Invasion. The album will include the guitar quintet arrangement of Krouse's Music in Four Sharps, as well as the debut recording of the quintet version of Krouse's Labyrinth. It will be released under Fog Horn Classics in mid to late 2022.
The Beau Soir Ensemble records Ian Krouse's Tri Chairde and Lullaby
11.23.2020
The Beau Soir Ensemble, a flute, viola, and harp trio based in Washington DC, has spent the Fall season performing Ian Krouse's Lullaby and Tri Chairde (also known as Three Friends). In order to experience the performances live, view their YouTube page where the ensemble has recently uploaded new recordings of Tri Chairde and Lullaby.
Krouse's latest album is reviewed by American Record Guide
11.09.2020
Ian Krouse's latest album, Nocturnes; Invocation, has been reviewed by Nathan Faro for the November/December issue of American Record Guide. Faro, who claims the album continues "to show off [Krouse's] wonderful vocal writing," praises the song cycles' balance of atonality and diatonicism. To download or read the full review, click here.
Krouse's Latest Album, Ian Krouse: Nocturnes, Invocation, is Released with NAXOS
06.02.2020
With references to Beethoven and Schubert, metaphors of darkness and light are conveyed with powerful emotion in Nocturnes, which sets four texts by well-known Armenian poets to form an odyssey through the mind of a man at mid-life. With profound sadness at its heart, Invocation explores the intangibility of love, contrasting atonality and tonality to express emotional outpourings that ultimately remain ephemeral and elusive. Both of these song-cycles are performed by the singers for which they were composed. To listen, proceed to Ian's Discography.
Krouse's 5th Symphony premiere performance and recording to take place this fall in Seol, South Korea
09.02.2019
On November 12th 2019, the Seocho Philharmonia, conducted by Jong Bae, will perform the world premiere of Krouse's Symphony No. 5 (aka 'American Interludes') honoring the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War. Soloists Michael Dean (baritone) and Jens Lindemann (trumpet) are featured. Michael Dean sings in the third movement a text by Walt Whitman. The performance will take place at the Lotte Performance Hall.
Krouse's Armenian Requiem receives heralding review by the American Record Guide
08.26.2019
The September/October 2019 issue of American Record Guide describes the Armenian Requiem as "stunning" in a detailed review of Krouse's newest NAXOS album. Reynolds, the reviewer, "highly recommends" the work "to all choral buffs and people who need proof that there still are composers who can summon the heights and depths of humanity in their music." To view the full review from American Record Guide, click here.
Rio de Janeiro columnist brings attention to Krouse
07.23.2019
Brazilian journalist Mariana Camargo publishes column entitled "Musica em Pauta" (aka "Music on Staff") in the Jornal do Brasil. The column seeks to bring attention to the music of Ian Krouse in Brazil, wherein Camargo believes there is a demand for modern classical music. At present, American classical music performances are minimal, but Camargo believes awareness will fuel appreciation. Nocturnes, Labyrinth and more are mentioned. Click here to be redirected to full article. View translation here.
Krouse is acknowledged at special reception for UCLA's Armenian Music program
06.24.2019
The Mirror Spectator, an Armenian online publication, recognizes Krouse as a key influence in the growth of UCLA's Armenian Music program. A special reception was held in Glendale, California in honor of this new program at UCLA. To view the Mirror Spectator article in full, click here.
New Commissions from Debussy Trio and more
06.20.2019
This summer Ian is delving into several new commissions. One is for the Debussy Trio. (Visit their website for more information.) Additionally, Krouse is beginning another new work that is based on a Led Zeppelin song called DADGAD for Shahab Paranj and Sohrab Pournazeri, two world-class Iranian musicians, and string quartet, which will be showcased on a 2019-2020 winter tour. As well, Krouse is transforming his well-known Labyrinth on a theme of Led Zeppelin (originally for guitar quartet) into a new version for guitar and string quartet (his second work for guitar quintet) to be premiered at San Francisco's Herbst Theater in March, 2020 by William Kanengiser and the Alexander String Quartet.
2019 Recording Projects: Alexander Quartet, Seocho Philharmonic, and more
06.12.2019
Fall and Winter 2019 are packed with numerous recording projects involving Krouse's works. In November, Krouse will be heading to Korea with Michael Dean to record his 5th Symphony with Maestro Jong Bae of the Seocho Philharmonic. Also in the Fall, Krouse will be in Georgia completing a CD project with Anastasia Petanova (flute), Ines Thomé (guitar), and Michael Gratovic (guitar).
MGQ takes their newest album, Evocación, on tour
05.10.2019
Minneapolis Guitar Quartet's newest album was released on February 16th. The album contains Krouse's StarWaves, a work commissioned by MGQ back in 2017. The work will be performed at concerts and festivals throughout the summer. For more information on MGQ's newest album Evocación, proceed to Krouse's discography or MGQ's website. For information on concerts, proceed to Krouse's concerts page, or MGQ's schedule.
Río de Llantos upcoming concert & recording session
04.04.2019
On May 1st, Río de Llantos will be recorded in Los Angeles at UCLA's Ostin Recording Studio for publication on an album to be released later this year. This recording session will be preceded by a concert on April 30th in Schoenberg Auditorium. For more information, program notes, and more, click here.
UCLA hosts record release reception for Requiem
03.11.2019
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music hosts record release reception for Krouse's Armenian Requiem on NAXOS at the Ostin Recording Studio on March 11th, 2019. In addition to the composer and members of his family, the guests included librettist Vatsche Barsoumian, conductor Neal Stulberg, and more. For more info and reception gallery, click here.
Armenian Requiem released globally on CD and Streaming Platforms
03.08.2019
Today marks the official release Ian Krouse's 2015 Armenian Requiem album by NAXOS Records. The album is internationally available on both digital and compact disc formats. The album release party took place on March 11th, where donors, family, colleagues, and friends gathered to celebrate. For more information on the Armenian Requiem, click here.
Official release date announced for Shank-Hagedorn Duo album featuring Krouse's Music in Four Sharps
02.04.2019
The Shank-Hagedorn violin and guitar duo is set to release their newest album, At Home and Abroad, on April 26th of this year. The album opens with the original recording of Ian Krouse's well-known piece entitled Music in Four Sharps, for guitar and string quartet. The piece itself is a reworking of Krouse's guitar duet, Portrait of a Young Woman and has been performed all over the world. For more information on this piece, click here.
NAXOS to Release Album with Krouse Song Cycles
01.23.2019
NAXOS has agreed to release a second album with two of Ian Krouse's song cycles - Op. 54 Invocation and Op. 60 Nocturnes - in time for the next Grammy cycle. The works have already been recorded and mastered and will be available to the public later this year.
Falla Guitar Trio album re-release
01.08.2019
Ian is wrapping up the restoration and re-mastering of the Falla Trio’s Virtuoso Music for Three Guitars, a 1982 Concord Concerto LP release that won a ‘Best Record of the Year Award’ that year from Stereo Review magazine. This album is scheduled to be re-released on Urtext Digital Classics in 2019. The album contains transcriptions of works by Bach, Vivaldi, and Manuel de Falla, transcribed by Krouse, and performed by him with partners Kenton Youngstrom and Terry Graves. This new re-release will contain a bonus track: Krouse’s Trio for Three Guitars, an early award-winning work that has never been released.
Premiere Recording Event for Ian Krouse's Roderick Usher’s ‘Phantasmion,' Op. 25
01.01.2019
In Summer, 2019 guitarist Robert Trent will record the premiere recording of Roderick Usher’s Phantasmion at the UCLA Ostin Recording Studio, along with Dror Yikro and two works by Ronald Pearl. To be released by Urtext Digital Classics in 2019 or 2020.