"I don't know how many other flute concertos there are with a cowbell," says flutist Nancy Stagnitta in reference to "Giants of the Night," a piece by David Amram.
Stagnitta will perform "Giants of the Night" this weekend with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra. The piece is a tribute to three major figures of the Beat Generation: Charlie Parker, Jack Kerouac and Dizzy Gillespie.
It's been quite a busy week for Stagnitta because flutists Sir James Galway and Lady Jeanne Galway are visiting Interlochen Center for the Arts. The Galways gave multiple performances and worked closely with Stagnitta and her students. "It's an embarrassment of riches," Stagnitta says.
Stagnitta found a few minutes to talk with Classical IPR about her busy week and to walk us through the Amram concerto ahead of Sunday's concert. Hear the entire conversation with music below.
Stagnitta will perform with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra this Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. in Corson Auditorium. The concert also features the Symphonie Fantastique by Hector Berlioz. Click here for more information and tickets.
Brock Morman engineered the interview audio recording. Yuwen Helga Tong provided production assistance.
