Comments

Laurie, something about the way you wrote this makes me want to meet Michael McLean and listen to his compositions. I think he and I would get along. Thanks for putting this entry together. You people look so healthy out there. What are you doing? Twice as healthy as anyone back east. Ten times as healthy as anybody in Europe. Plus you're grinning ear to ear and having exponentially compounded good luck. Bartender, give me what they're having. Thank you so much for posting this interview!!! It's great to get some more background about Michael McLean, and this piece. I've been lucky enough to meet both him and Brian Lewis at the camp you mentioned — Sound Encounters. In fact, back in 2004, the SE orchestra gave what I think was the world premiere of the Earth and Fire movements. It was an amazing experience! And this summer, I was able to sneak in on one of McLean's composition classes, where he walked us through the score explained bits of the story and writing techniques. I even got him to sign my Elements CD. ;) Anyway, thanks SO much for posting this!! It was a treat to read. Thanks for this interview, Laurie! Both Michael McLean and Brian Lewis are the best type of musicians and people you could hope to meet. Hearing about The Elements from McLean himself was a real treat :) Thanks for sharing this Laurie! That's a great article! I have also met both of them at Sound Encounters and they are awesome. Michael came and conducted our orchestra one morning. After he was done our regular conductor (David Barg) stepped back onto the podium and said, (correct me if I'm wrong Sydney and Ruth) "Mark today on your calendars, he is the next John Williams." Haha, yes, I remember that Atticus!! And you know, what, I think Mr. Barg is right. :) Atticus, I listened to your performance of New World "Peace and Praises," another yummy piece by MM, and well-played.

I actually met Michael when he came to do a teaching seminar with my Suzuki group this spring -- a Tango workshop. Michael and I realized we'd gone to Northwestern together, taken from the same teacher, played in orchestra together. It was like meeting an old friend!

I guess what strikes me about Michael is that he is clearly a natural composer, and one who has worked very hard. One thing he said to me, which I didn't quote in this article, was : "I kind of came to composing through the back door."

A baffling statement, isn't it? Here is someone who so clearly studied everything he could get his hands on about composing, and has been prolific about practicing his art since the age of seven.

But in my view, when it comes to composing and academia, the front door has stood, locked shut for about 40 years, with 12 cactus plants shoved against it and an ugly monster guarding the entry. I absolutely love to see someone breaking free of it. Please do, come in the back door if it's the only one open. We need more than ghosts in this house!