Video 1: “Memories Are Not Enough” performed by Miloš Katanić
Video 2: “Maggots and Other Chamber Music of Gene Pritsker”

Composer Gene Pritsker has created a new composition for accordion, “Memories Are Not Enough” (video 1) which is included in his new album “Maggots and & Other Chamber Music of Gene Pritsker” (Video 2), released on July 3rd, 2020 on Composers Concordance Records/Naxos. Gene Pritsker explains his accordion composition,” ’Memories Are Not Enough’ develops a simple melancholy chord progression that I found very sentimental when I was writing it. Searching for a title for this composition, my thoughts turned to think about my son as a young child and how he has grown, and that I have these memories of this child, who does not exist in that way anymore, and I had a feeling that my memories were not enough. That phrase appeared, and I decided that this should be the title of the piece. The music develops two melodies, in a simple form, with hints of bitonality and the blues. The accordion, I feel, is the perfect instrument for such a pensive piece of music. Accordionist Miloš Katanić made a cool video with a score for my solo accordion piece when he performs ‘Memories Are Not Enough’.”

I really identified with the expressive and thought provoking emotions expressed in “Memories Are Not Enough” having 26 and 30 year old sons. The music evoked memories of them when they were small and how quickly time passes, precious moments never to be recaptured. I highly recommend your listening to it along with the other compositions on “Maggots”.

‘Maggots’ consists of a collection of various recordings, from an array of diverse ensembles, of composer Gene Pritsker’s very eclectic chamber music. From larger chamber music like the baritone concertino ‘Maggots’, ‘Berlin Suite’ and ‘Kostabi-isms’ to the sitar and string quartet piece ’The Most Incorrigible Vice’ and the duet ‘Bitter Suite’ as well as two solo compositions ‘Memories Are Not Enough’ & ‘Figar-OH!’.

The album spans a wide timbre range and the eclectic nature of these compositions takes you on a journey through genre-bending music and a unique musical style. “mischief-maker” and “cultural blender-in-chief.” Pritsker is a serious artist, yet much of his work is witty and irreverent.” …“Anyone can draw a mustache on the Mona Lisa, but few musicians draw it as artistically and creatively as Gene Pritsker.” – Fanfare Magazine “American contemporary composer Gene Pritsker keeps on exploring new paths.”. – United Mutations

Composer Gene Pritsker has composed over seven hundred works, including chamber operas, orchestral and chamber works, electro-acoustic music and songs for hip-hop and rock ensembles. His compositions employ an eclectic spectrum of styles, that are influenced by his studies of various musical cultures. He is the founder and leader of Sound Liberation, an eclectic hip hop-chamber-jazz-rock-etc. ensemble. He also Co-Directs Composers Concordance. His music is performed all over the world at internationally recognized festivals and by highly respected ensembles and performers.

Gene co-founded the Grammy-nominated Absolute Ensemble with Kristjan Jarvi and has been a composer in residence and guitarist since its creation in 1993.  He worked closely with jazz fusion legend Joe Zawinul and has orchestrated major Hollywood movies, including ‘Cloud Atlas’, for which he wrote additional music and composed his ”Cloud Atlas Symphony’. He is also the lead orchestrator for such TV series as Babylon Berlin, Netflix’s Sense8 and Messiah 

Gene shares, “My music is extremely eclectic, from orchestral music to chamber music to hip-hop, rock, opera, electronic to incorporating my studies of various world cultures. Music has no bounds – I view the world of music as one big genre. My motto for my art is  “ending the segregation of sound vibration” He is also a guitarist/rapper/Di.J./ and producer and incorporates each of these musical attributes to create music that is  “not designed for easy listening or to melt into the background. It is insistent. It demands attention and curiosity.”
– New York Newsday. 

Accordionist Miloš Katanić (1991) was born in Kragujevac, Serbia. He studied for his master’s degree program at the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz, in the class of professor Alfred Melichar. He’s currently in the postgraduate program at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, in the class of professor Janne Rättyä. He has performed and competed at concerts and competitions throughout most European countries. Amongst his many achievements are first prizes won on “Premio internazionale della Fisarmonica di Castelfidardo” in Italy, the “Australian International Accordion Championship” and “The 33rd Harbin Summer Music Festival in China”.

He has taken part in many seminars led by major accordion artists such as Yuri Shishkin, Matti Rantanen and Vladimir Besfalminov. He has also been a part of many projects, both solo and with other ensembles, most notable of which is the Kokoro duo.He was the recipient of the “Edith Rebhahn” scholarship for 2016 at Anton Bruckner Private University. Close collaboration with composers in creating of new pieces for accordion is his current primary interest and this resulted in his debut CD called “The Breath” with pieces written exclusively for him.

Gene Pritsker’s future performances:
Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 6:PM: The premiere of ‘Pandemic Dance #17’ with Kathleen Supove and ‘The Day Saturn Lost its Rings’ for narrator and 4 pianists on one piano on the poetry of Robert C. Ford as part of Social Bubble Salon concert # 4 ‘Piano Theme’ at Kostabi World.  On Facebook

Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 7:PM: Premiering ‘Casey Jones ReMix’ as part of “The Days Between” – commemorating the 25th anniversary of the death of Jerry Garcia brought to you by “Home (Away)’ FaceBook

Wednesday, August 19, 2020 at 5:PM: The premiere of ‘Bitcoin Without A Blockchain’ for baritone, clarinet, and piano on the poetry of Robert C. Ford as part of Social Bubble Salon concert #5 ‘Wall Street Roof’ at 20 Pine Street Roof.

For further information: gene@genepritsker.com