I was recorded as the player on a "Piano Puzzler" for Performance Today (from American Public Radio).
It sort of blows my amazement to know they record bunches of these in 2 days, then play them over the next few months at least. The composer, Bruce Adolph, told me he takes 10 days at a time and writes 12 or so. Then a few weeks or so later, he repeats the process.
If you're not familiar with it, the Puzzler is his taking a "familiar tune" and putting it in the style of a composer, always piano oriented--thus the name. I won't tell you what mine was, but I'll proudly say I pretty much nailed it. I didn't pick up on the specific piece he was quoting stylistically, but I got the composer fairly quickly and the song after just a couple of replayed notes. That led to a long discussion about the composer and of the song. Very interesting.
http://www.performancetoday.org" target="_blank
I have no idea yet when it will be broadcast, but I'll let y'all know.
That was fun! Highly recommended, and Fred Child is just as enthusiastic off the air as on. I thought we were taping, he said 'hold that thought till we're recording". SHeesh, can anyone REALLY be that up all the time?? especially after 2 days of taping?
