About
LIAISONS is a landmark commissioning and concert project, conceived by acclaimed concert pianist Anthony de Mare, based on the songs of legendary musical theater composer Stephen Sondheim. The project has brought together 36 of the world’s foremost contemporary composers from across the musical spectrum to “re-imagine” one of Sondheim’s songs as a solo piano piece.
The result is a brand new world-class piano repertory that reveals Sondheim’s influence across multiple genres and generations. Chosen by de Mare in consultation with Mr. Sondheim and producer Rachel Colbert, the Liaisons roster spans the classical, jazz, opera, pop, musical theater and film worlds. Composers hail from seven different countries, ranging in age from 30 to 75 and representing more than 44 Pulitzers, Grammys, Tonys and Academy Awards.
At its essence, Liaisons is an homage. But unlike any other Sondheim tribute to date, its focus is on Sondheim the composer. Liaisons leaves no doubt that Sondheim’s music is as at home in the concert hall as it is in the theater – making the case for him as one of the 20th century's greatest and most influential composers.
Liaisons programs have played to critical and popular acclaim in San Francisco, Portland, Kansas City, Fort Worth and the Ravinia and Gilmore Festivals, among many others. The first 32 pieces received their NYC premieres over the span of two sold-out concerts at Symphony Space, in April 2012 and March 2013. Liaisons performances have received rave reviews from Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times, Joshua Kosman of the San Francisco Chronicle, Andy Propst of The Sondheim Review and many others. Mr. Sondheim also gave a live interview at each of the NYC premieres - see the WATCH/LISTEN tab for excerpts.
Performed exclusively by de Mare through 2016, individual pieces can be combined to form an infinite variety of concert, recital and residency programs. Real-time news about concerts and other updates can be found on our Facebook page:
The result is a brand new world-class piano repertory that reveals Sondheim’s influence across multiple genres and generations. Chosen by de Mare in consultation with Mr. Sondheim and producer Rachel Colbert, the Liaisons roster spans the classical, jazz, opera, pop, musical theater and film worlds. Composers hail from seven different countries, ranging in age from 30 to 75 and representing more than 44 Pulitzers, Grammys, Tonys and Academy Awards.
At its essence, Liaisons is an homage. But unlike any other Sondheim tribute to date, its focus is on Sondheim the composer. Liaisons leaves no doubt that Sondheim’s music is as at home in the concert hall as it is in the theater – making the case for him as one of the 20th century's greatest and most influential composers.
Liaisons programs have played to critical and popular acclaim in San Francisco, Portland, Kansas City, Fort Worth and the Ravinia and Gilmore Festivals, among many others. The first 32 pieces received their NYC premieres over the span of two sold-out concerts at Symphony Space, in April 2012 and March 2013. Liaisons performances have received rave reviews from Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times, Joshua Kosman of the San Francisco Chronicle, Andy Propst of The Sondheim Review and many others. Mr. Sondheim also gave a live interview at each of the NYC premieres - see the WATCH/LISTEN tab for excerpts.
Performed exclusively by de Mare through 2016, individual pieces can be combined to form an infinite variety of concert, recital and residency programs. Real-time news about concerts and other updates can be found on our Facebook page:
Calendar
Upcoming Performances
Past Performances
Liaisons works by Nico Muhly, Mark Anthony Turnage, Mason Bates and Paul Moravec
Composers
from Into the Woods
after "Putting it Together" from Sunday in the Park with George
after "Happiness" from Passion
from Company
from Assassins
after "Anyone Can Whistle" and "Send in the Clowns"
after "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" from Sweeney Todd
after "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd " from Sweeney Todd
from A Little Night Music
from Assassins
after "Children and Art" from Sunday in the Park with George
from A Little Night Music
from Pacific Overtures
after "A Weekend in the Country" from A Little Night Music
from Into the Woods
from A Little Night Music
from Company
after "Someone in a Tree" from Pacific Overtures
after "Good Thing Going" from Merrily We Roll Along
after "Worst Pies in London" and "A Little Priest" from Sweeney Todd
after "Losing My Mind" from Follies
from Sunday in the Park with George
from Sweeney Todd
from Sweeney Todd
from Company
from Sunday in the Park with George
from Company
from Company
from Follies
after "Beautiful" from Sunday in the Park with George
from Sweeney Todd
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
after "Liaisons" and "Send in the Clowns" from A Little Night Music
from Sweeney Todd
from Merrily We Roll Along
Recording
In the fall of 2015, ECM Records will release LIAISONS as a three-CD set. Judy Sherman, a three-time Grammy Award winner for Classical Producer of the Year, is the engineer/producer.
To sign up for the release mailing, list please fill out the form below. Single tracks are not available at this time.
We began recording in November 2011, and the final sessions are in November 2013. We have $31,121 left to raise. Any contributions to help us reach the finish line will be gratefully accepted! And if made through Fractured Atlas are fully tax-deductible.
or join our INDIEGOGO campaign - running until August 8th!
To sign up for the release mailing, list please fill out the form below. Single tracks are not available at this time.
We began recording in November 2011, and the final sessions are in November 2013. We have $31,121 left to raise. Any contributions to help us reach the finish line will be gratefully accepted! And if made through Fractured Atlas are fully tax-deductible.
or join our INDIEGOGO campaign - running until August 8th!
Booking Info
Liaisons: Re-Imagining Sondheim from the Piano is a solo concert that can be adapted to any context. It is especially well suited to university settings and performing arts series. Individual pieces can be combined to form an infinite variety of programs that appeal to audiences of all backgrounds, from recital series and festivals to student unions and music departments. Mr. de Mare works with each venue to tailor a program best suited to their audience and presenting needs.
Single programs last from 60-90 minutes and contain approximately 11-14 pieces. As many as three consecutive twelve-piece programs can be offered. Mr. de Mare delivers brief commentary between pieces, and multi-media components are also available that complement and contextualize the LIaisons performance. These include background slides with animated text, audio clips from interviews with the composers, and a four-minute excerpt of the live interview given by Mr. Sondheim at the first NYC premiere.
Technical requirements for the multimedia components are simple - a projector with a DVI, HDMI or VGA input and/or connection to a computer running Windows XP (or later) or Mac OS X. In addition, three pieces require CD or mp3 playback along with a stage audio monitor for the performer: Steve Reich’s Finishing the Hat, Jason Robert Brown’s Birds of Victorian England and Duncan Sheik's Johanna... in space.
A master teacher and lecturer, Mr. de Mare can offer residencies and lectures as well as day-, week- or semester-long curricula based on Liaisons material.
Single programs last from 60-90 minutes and contain approximately 11-14 pieces. As many as three consecutive twelve-piece programs can be offered. Mr. de Mare delivers brief commentary between pieces, and multi-media components are also available that complement and contextualize the LIaisons performance. These include background slides with animated text, audio clips from interviews with the composers, and a four-minute excerpt of the live interview given by Mr. Sondheim at the first NYC premiere.
Technical requirements for the multimedia components are simple - a projector with a DVI, HDMI or VGA input and/or connection to a computer running Windows XP (or later) or Mac OS X. In addition, three pieces require CD or mp3 playback along with a stage audio monitor for the performer: Steve Reich’s Finishing the Hat, Jason Robert Brown’s Birds of Victorian England and Duncan Sheik's Johanna... in space.
A master teacher and lecturer, Mr. de Mare can offer residencies and lectures as well as day-, week- or semester-long curricula based on Liaisons material.
Anthony de Mare
Concert pianist Anthony de Mare is internationally recognized as one of the foremost performers of contemporary music and has inspired the creation of dozens of new works by some of today’s most distinguished composers and artists. He launched The Liaisons Project in 2008 and began giving critically acclaimed preview concerts throughout the U.S. and Canada in March 2011. In April 2012 he premiered 17 of the pieces in a highly praised sold out concert at Symphony Space, NYC, for which Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times extolled his “formidable virtuosity”; in a live onstage interview Mr. Sondheim called the Project “flattering… to hear composers take my music and take it seriously is a thrill.”
Mr. de Mare made his New York debut under the auspices of Young Concert Artists, prior to which he won First Prize and Audience Prize at the International Gaudeamus Interpreters Competition in The Netherlands and The International Competition of Contemporary Piano Music in France. He made his Carnegie Hall debut at Zankel Hall in 2005 and has toured extensively with such popular programs as The American Piano, Missing Peace (commissioned by The Rubin Museum), COOL~A Journey into the Influence of Jazz and his solo show, Playing with Myself, which played for an extended run at HERE Arts Center.
Mr. de Mare is a Yamaha Artist with nearly twenty recordings in his discography and was short-listed for a Grammy Award in 2011 and 2005. He is presently Professor of Piano at Manhattan School of Music and New York University. www.anthonydemare.com
Mr. de Mare made his New York debut under the auspices of Young Concert Artists, prior to which he won First Prize and Audience Prize at the International Gaudeamus Interpreters Competition in The Netherlands and The International Competition of Contemporary Piano Music in France. He made his Carnegie Hall debut at Zankel Hall in 2005 and has toured extensively with such popular programs as The American Piano, Missing Peace (commissioned by The Rubin Museum), COOL~A Journey into the Influence of Jazz and his solo show, Playing with Myself, which played for an extended run at HERE Arts Center.
Mr. de Mare is a Yamaha Artist with nearly twenty recordings in his discography and was short-listed for a Grammy Award in 2011 and 2005. He is presently Professor of Piano at Manhattan School of Music and New York University. www.anthonydemare.com
Watch/Listen
Music
Video
promotional video
1 of 3 aired live at Liaisons II, March 9, 2013.
by Crystal Arnette
2 of 3 aired live at Liaisons II, March 9, 2013.
by Crystal Arnette
live performance, Manhattan School of Music
February 2012
onstage interview, Liaisons I
Symphony Space • April 21, 2012
Highlights from LIAISONS I at Symphony Space, NYC
April 21, 2012
Photos
Commissions
We are grateful to the following individuals and institutions for their visionary commissioning support, which enabled Liaisons to come to fruition.
Andy Akiho / Into the Woods was commissioned by Bob and Anna Livingston.
Mason Bates / Very Put Together was commissioned by James & Ellen Marcus and Annaliese Soros in celebration of the marriage of Beth Sapery and Rosita Sarnoff.
Eve Beglarian / Perpetual Happiness was commissioned by Jeannie Colbert as a wedding gift.
Derek Bermel / Sorry/Grateful was commissioned by Tom Spain for Anthony/Tony.
Jherek Bischoff / Ballad of Guiteau remains available for commission.
William Bolcom / A Little Night Fughetta was commissioned by William E. Terry.
Jason Robert Brown / Birds of Victorian England was commissioned by Anthony Razzano and the de Mare family.
Kenji Bunch / The Demon Barber was commissioned by The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (University of Maryland).
Mary Ellen Childs / Now/Later/Soon was commissioned by The Schubert Club (Minneapolis).
Michael Daugherty / Everybody’s Got the Right was commissioned by The Gilmore International Keyboard Festival.
Peter Golub / A Child of Children and Art was commissioned by Beth Rudin Dewoody for Kyle Dewoody.
Ricky Ian Gordon / Every Day A Little Death was commissioned by Ted and Mary Jo Shen.
Annie Gosfield / A Bowler Hat was commissioned anonymously.
Jake Heggie / I’m Excited. No You’re Not. was commissioned by The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (University of Ma
ryland).
Fred Hersch / No One is Alone was commissioned by Dan Gallagher and Peter Shearer for their son, Ian Gallagher Shearer.
Ethan Iverson / Send in the Clowns was commissioned by Frank K. Godchaux and Mark Murashige.
Gabriel Kahane / Being Alive was commissioned by Ted and Mary Jo Shen.
Phil Kline / Paraphrase (Someone in a Tree) was commissioned by William E. Terry.
Tania Leon / going….gone was commissioned by Scott and Roxanne Bok.
Ricardo Lorenz / The Worst [Empanadas] in London was commissioned by Music in the Loft (Chicago).
Wynton Marsalis / That Old Piano Roll was commissioned by Bob and Anna Livingston.
Paul Moravec / I Think About You was commissioned by Martin L. and Lucy Miller Murray.
Nico Muhly / Color and Light was commissioned by Ted and Mary Jo Shen.
John Musto / Epiphany was commissioned by Martin and Perry Granoff.
Thomas Newman / Not While I’m Around was commissioned by James and Ellen Marcus.
David Rakowski / The Ladies Who Lunch was commissioned by Beth Rudin Dewoody.
Steve Reich / Finishing the Hat - Two Pianos was commissioned by Donna and Ben Rosen.
Eric Rockwell / You Could Drive a Person Crazy was commissioned by Beth Rudin Dewoody for Carlton Dewoody.
Daniel Bernard Roumain/ Another Hundred People was commissioned by Heather and Justin Frank, M.D.
Frederic Rzewski / I’m Still Here was commissioned by The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (University of Maryland).
Rodney Sharman / Notes on Beautiful was commissioned by The Banff Centre.
Duncan Sheik / Johanna ... in space was commissioned by Linda and Richard Sweetnam in memory of Anthony Razzano.
David Shire / Love is in the Air was commissioned by Donna and Ben Rosen.
Bernadette Speach / In and Out of Love was commissioned by The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (University of Maryland).
Mark Anthony Turnage / Pretty Women was commissioned by David and Alice Shearer.
Nils Vigeland / Merrily We Roll Along was commissioned by Beth Rudin Dewoody for Darian Zahedi.
Andy Akiho / Into the Woods was commissioned by Bob and Anna Livingston.
Mason Bates / Very Put Together was commissioned by James & Ellen Marcus and Annaliese Soros in celebration of the marriage of Beth Sapery and Rosita Sarnoff.
Eve Beglarian / Perpetual Happiness was commissioned by Jeannie Colbert as a wedding gift.
Derek Bermel / Sorry/Grateful was commissioned by Tom Spain for Anthony/Tony.
Jherek Bischoff / Ballad of Guiteau remains available for commission.
William Bolcom / A Little Night Fughetta was commissioned by William E. Terry.
Jason Robert Brown / Birds of Victorian England was commissioned by Anthony Razzano and the de Mare family.
Kenji Bunch / The Demon Barber was commissioned by The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (University of Maryland).
Mary Ellen Childs / Now/Later/Soon was commissioned by The Schubert Club (Minneapolis).
Michael Daugherty / Everybody’s Got the Right was commissioned by The Gilmore International Keyboard Festival.
Peter Golub / A Child of Children and Art was commissioned by Beth Rudin Dewoody for Kyle Dewoody.
Ricky Ian Gordon / Every Day A Little Death was commissioned by Ted and Mary Jo Shen.
Annie Gosfield / A Bowler Hat was commissioned anonymously.
Jake Heggie / I’m Excited. No You’re Not. was commissioned by The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (University of Ma
ryland).
Fred Hersch / No One is Alone was commissioned by Dan Gallagher and Peter Shearer for their son, Ian Gallagher Shearer.
Ethan Iverson / Send in the Clowns was commissioned by Frank K. Godchaux and Mark Murashige.
Gabriel Kahane / Being Alive was commissioned by Ted and Mary Jo Shen.
Phil Kline / Paraphrase (Someone in a Tree) was commissioned by William E. Terry.
Tania Leon / going….gone was commissioned by Scott and Roxanne Bok.
Ricardo Lorenz / The Worst [Empanadas] in London was commissioned by Music in the Loft (Chicago).
Wynton Marsalis / That Old Piano Roll was commissioned by Bob and Anna Livingston.
Paul Moravec / I Think About You was commissioned by Martin L. and Lucy Miller Murray.
Nico Muhly / Color and Light was commissioned by Ted and Mary Jo Shen.
John Musto / Epiphany was commissioned by Martin and Perry Granoff.
Thomas Newman / Not While I’m Around was commissioned by James and Ellen Marcus.
David Rakowski / The Ladies Who Lunch was commissioned by Beth Rudin Dewoody.
Steve Reich / Finishing the Hat - Two Pianos was commissioned by Donna and Ben Rosen.
Eric Rockwell / You Could Drive a Person Crazy was commissioned by Beth Rudin Dewoody for Carlton Dewoody.
Daniel Bernard Roumain/ Another Hundred People was commissioned by Heather and Justin Frank, M.D.
Frederic Rzewski / I’m Still Here was commissioned by The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (University of Maryland).
Rodney Sharman / Notes on Beautiful was commissioned by The Banff Centre.
Duncan Sheik / Johanna ... in space was commissioned by Linda and Richard Sweetnam in memory of Anthony Razzano.
David Shire / Love is in the Air was commissioned by Donna and Ben Rosen.
Bernadette Speach / In and Out of Love was commissioned by The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (University of Maryland).
Mark Anthony Turnage / Pretty Women was commissioned by David and Alice Shearer.
Nils Vigeland / Merrily We Roll Along was commissioned by Beth Rudin Dewoody for Darian Zahedi.
Donate
A project as ambitious in scope as Liaisons couldn’t have happened without the resources and support of generous and visionary donors.
We are deeply grateful for the support of the following individuals and institutions, whose contributions have supported project components ranging from the original commissions to archival documentation, video compilations, recording and publicity costs. Please join them with a tax-deductible donation through Fractured Atlas!
OR
visit our Indiegogo campaign to lend your support to the recording!
The campaign ends August 9th and all donors will be listed here.
Donors as of July 1, 2014:
Anonymous • The Banff Centre • Scott & Roxanne Bok • The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (University of Maryland) • Beth Rudin de Woody • Heather & Justin Frank, M.D. • Dan Gallagher & Peter Shearer, M.D. • The Gilmore International Keyboard Festival (Ann Arbor) • Frank K. Godcheaux & Mark Murashige • The Perry & Martin Granoff Family Foundation • Anna and Bob Livingston • James & Ellen Marcus • Martin L. & Lucy Miller Murray • Music in the Loft (Chicago) • Anthony Razzano • Ben & Donna Rosen • The Rudin Foundation • The Schubert Club (Minneapolis • The David and Alice Shearer Fund • The Shen Family Foundation • Annaliese Soros • Tom Spain • Richard and Linda Sweetnam • William E. Terry
We are deeply grateful for the support of the following individuals and institutions, whose contributions have supported project components ranging from the original commissions to archival documentation, video compilations, recording and publicity costs. Please join them with a tax-deductible donation through Fractured Atlas!
OR
visit our Indiegogo campaign to lend your support to the recording!
The campaign ends August 9th and all donors will be listed here.
Donors as of July 1, 2014:
Anonymous • The Banff Centre • Scott & Roxanne Bok • The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (University of Maryland) • Beth Rudin de Woody • Heather & Justin Frank, M.D. • Dan Gallagher & Peter Shearer, M.D. • The Gilmore International Keyboard Festival (Ann Arbor) • Frank K. Godcheaux & Mark Murashige • The Perry & Martin Granoff Family Foundation • Anna and Bob Livingston • James & Ellen Marcus • Martin L. & Lucy Miller Murray • Music in the Loft (Chicago) • Anthony Razzano • Ben & Donna Rosen • The Rudin Foundation • The Schubert Club (Minneapolis • The David and Alice Shearer Fund • The Shen Family Foundation • Annaliese Soros • Tom Spain • Richard and Linda Sweetnam • William E. Terry
Press
April 2012
“The adventurous [de Mare], a champion of contemporary music, merged his passion for Sondheim with his effort to expand the recital repertory. The resulting project required formidable virtuosity... de Mare’s playing was dynamic and stylish. I loved it.”
read more
August 2013
"After seeing de Mare’s triumphant performance, we definitely want to gain a deeper knowledge of the musicals. Moreover, we were impressed by de Mare’s ability to master everything from the most pyrotechnical classical compositions to the suave style of the jazz works..."
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March 2013
" An adventurous project... Mr. de Mare performed with vivid commitment throughout, fully plumbing the nuances of each work. "
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September 2012
“De Mare is a dynamic pianist, with technique and musicianship to burn. For those who love Sondheim and are interested in hearing new work from a variety of contemporary composers, [Liaisons is] a must-see occasion.
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September 2012
“The variety of the settings kept the audience engaged, and de Mare was formidable throughout. The evening was a refreshing alternative to the typical recital, and successfully promoted Sondheim's legacy as well...
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June 2012
“A thrilling program… filled with surprise and inventiveness.”
May 2012
“The concert offered a wide range of compositional styles and moods, highly colorful, and superbly played by de Mare.
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March 2012
“Liaisons is a revelation… a delightful recital with an exuberant close. De Mare’s playing was superb throughout, a combination of lyrical reflection and extroverted pyrotechnics.”
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February 2012
“Just when you thought that there wasn't anything new in piano recitals anymore, along comes Anthony de Mare … a first-class pianist whose list of composer friends is a virtual who's who of American music… each piece is a fascinating exploration of the composer's style.”
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January 2012
“The ambitious endeavor of Anthony de Mare to create liaisons between musical theater and so-called “art-music” brings out his formidable piano technique and his charming, easy manner.”
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August 2011
“If anyone still doubted Sondheim’s prowess as an instrumental composer, this project should firmly lay those doubts to rest… de Mare’s concert kicked off energetically and his illuminating stage comments relaxed the atmosphere.”
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Contact
for booking, commissions and more information
Rachel Colbert, Producer
(212) 473-2288
rachel@liaisonsproject.com
for press inquires:
April Thibeault, Public Relations
AMT Public Relations
april@amtpublicrelations.com