Joan Tower is an American composer and conductor whose vibrant works, including the "Fanfare for the Common Woman," have earned her Grammy Awards and cemented her influence in the world of modern classical music.
A new album by Interlochen faculty pianist Kara Huber, "Piano Works of Joan Tower," offers a rare look into Tower’s solo piano compositions. Huber is the Marjorie Wood Drackett Piano Chair at Interlochen Center for the Arts.
The album spans three decades of Tower's career and includes a variety of pieces, from the multi-movement work "No Longer Very Clear" to the deeply personal miniature "Love Letter."
"Piano Works of Joan Tower" is available for streaming starting Friday, August 9 from artist Kara Huber's website or from their YouTube channel. Kara Huber, a faculty member at Interlochen Arts Academy, debuted music from the album in a solo recital in February 2024 at the Alluvion in Traverse City, MI.
"Love Letter" (2022) is perhaps one of the most poignant pieces on the album. The music was written specifically for Huber and dedicated to Tower’s late husband.
Joan Tower described the composition as a moment of solace during a period of profound personal loss. “My husband of fifty years passed away… Basically, my life fell apart. It went into broken pieces,” Tower said.
Tower also shared her enthusiasm for having Kara Huber perform all of her piano compositions. She pointed out that it is quite rare for a pianist to dedicate themselves to mastering the entire set of works by any composer, especially a living one.
Tower admitted that she had some uncertainties about her piece "Ivory and Ebony" during its creation, but after hearing Huber’s performance, she felt that Huber had brought it to life. Huber "made it work."
"I actually liked the piece better after hearing her play it," Tower said.
The new release of "Piano Works of Joan Tower" is among the first productions of Sacred Black Records, a label founded in 2024 by guitarist, composer, and producer Matthew Cochran.
For the latest info about pianist Kara Huber, visit the artist's Instagram page or YouTube channel.
