Music: Back to The Future

Liebermann's other works include a thrilling operatic version of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray, premiered in the U.S. last year by Milwaukee's Florentine Opera. Liebermann is also a master of the fine art of writing knockout showpieces for world-class soloists. He takes the baton on two CDs devoted to his concertos, the first featuring superstar flutist James Galway (RCA), the second with English piano virtuoso Stephen Hough (Hyperion). Liebermann's Second Piano Concerto, raves Hough, is a "combination of brain and heart."

If the New Tonalists had a credo, it might be the lines of Whitman set by Liebermann in his Second Symphony: "Sing to my soul, renew its faith and hope...give me some vision of the future." Their confident vision of the future of American classical music is on display all this season, giving concertgoers and record buyers who are tired of warmed-over Brussels sprouts more reasons for standing ovations. Last November, Moravec's electrifying Mood Swings premiered in New York City, and three more New York premieres follow this May--Tsontakis' Ghost Variations for piano, Martin's song cycle The Glass Hammer and Liebermann's Trumpet Concerto. Just out from Summit Records is The Symphonic Works of Daniel Asia: At the Far Edge, and Delos is releasing a live recording of the Liebermann Second this fall. "Of course there's a backlash from the Old Guard," Liebermann says, "but the tide is finally turning." About time, too.