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Writings, Publications and Lectures

Books

Composing a Life: Teachers, Mentors and Models

by Alexander Goehr and Jack Van Zandt

Carcanet Press, 26 October, 2023

Interviews

Using High Art as an Enrichment, Not an Escape (2024)

Van Zandt's interview with UK composer and political activist Ben Lunn about the book with Alexander Goehr, "Composing a Life: Teachers Mentors and Models," published in Culture Matters (UK).

Dress Rehearsal Podcast (2022)

Interviewed by pianist Lorenzo Marasso.

The 45th episode of Dress Rehearsal, on 107.3 KBFG Seattle, welcomes Composer Jack Van Zandt who is a Los Angeles and Ireland-based composer of music for concerts, public spaces, gallery installations, television, film, and advertising. He has composed more than 300 works and his concert music has been performed in the USA, Canada, Asia and Europe. He is a co-Grammy winner in the Best Classical Compendium category. During the hour we will chat with Jack about his life as a composer and listen to some of his earlier and more recent works.

A Conversation with Alexander Goehr (2017)

Jack Van Zandt talked to his teacher and friend, British composer and Cambridge University

Emeritus Professor of Music Alexander Goehr, about his experiences and friendships in the USA.

Podcast with musical examples.

Selected Published Writings

 

Mad Kings and Magic Squares

A personal celebration of Peter Maxwell Davies on the 90th anniversary of his birth

British Music Society newsletter, September, 2024

The Triumph of Time

A Personal Celebration of Harrison Birtwistle on his 90th Birthday

British Music Society newsletter, July, 2024

Learning to Be a Composer

For Thea Musgrave On Her 95th Birthday

British Music Society newsletter, May 2023

 

Peter Racine Fricker

A Personal Tribute

British Music Society newsletter, October 2023

Notes from my Apprenticeship

A personal appreciation of Alexander Goehr on his 90th Birthday

British Music Society newsletter, August 2022

 

The Language of Music: Notation and Basic Theory

Knowledge Cards, Pomegranate Communications, Portland, OR, 2003

 

The Language of Music: Classical Music Terms

Knowledge Cards, Pomegranate Communications, Portland, OR, 2003

 

Mariachi Music and Politics: A Conversation with Linda Ronstadt

Published by Metro Newspapers, San Jose, CA, in Metro Silicon Valley, Metroactive.com and San Jose Inside.com, August 28, 2008

 

Opinion: Civic Needs New Management

Published by Metro Newspapers, San Jose, CA, in Metro Silicon Valley, Metroactive.com and San Jose Inside.com, March 12, 2008

 

Women’s Work

Arts Review Lead

Published by Metro Newspapers, San Jose, CA, in Metro Silicon Valley, Metroactive.com and San Jose Inside.com, October 22, 2008

 

The Valley at War

Arts Review Lead

Published by Metro Newspapers, San Jose, CA, in Metro Silicon Valley, Metroactive.com and San Jose Inside.com, December 10, 2008

 

 

Other Selected Publications

 

What Happened Here: Ireland?

Knowledge Cards, Pomegranate Communications, Portland, OR, 2005

 

Who Discovered Ganymede? A Quiz Deck on the History of Science

Knowledge Cards, Pomegranate Communications, Portland, OR, 2007

 

Mona Lisa, the Kiss and the Thinker: What Do You Know About the History of Art?

Knowledge Cards, Pomegranate Communications, Portland, OR, 2007

 

What Do You Know About Abraham Lincoln?

Knowledge Cards, Pomegranate Communications, Portland, OR, 2008

 

What Do You Know About John F. Kennedy?

Knowledge Cards, Pomegranate Communications, Portland, OR, 2008

 

What Do You Know About Franklin D. Roosevelt?

Knowledge Cards, Pomegranate Communications, Portland, OR, 2009

 

 

More than 200 opinion and arts review columns may be seen at:

www.sanjoseinside.com/author/jack-van-zandt/

 

 

Lectures and Workshops

I am available to deliver these lectures and workshops by request.

 

The Evolutionary Origins of Human Music

A two or three-hour university lecture with recorded musical examples. Good for ethnomusicology, music history, musicology, composition and anthropology  classes.

Copyright 2011

The Central Role of Music in Evolution, Revolution and Education

A one-hour university lecture.

Copyright 2010

Telling a Story with Music

A one-hour university lecture/demo, with performance by pianist Nadia Shpachenko.

Copyright 2016

The Composer's Tool Box

A two-hour university workshop for undergraduate and graduate composers.

Copyright 2017

British Music Theater and Chamber Opera of the 1960s and 1970s

A one or two-hour university lecture/demo on the pioneering works of Alexander Goehr, Peter Maxwell Davies and Harrison Birtwistle.

Copyright 2017

 

 

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