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Traditional and New Classical Contributor
Lee Hartman holds degrees from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (D.M.A., M.M.) and the University of Delaware (B.M.). At the University of Delaware, he received a Dean's Scholar position enabling him to pursue an individually designed academic program combining music education and composition. At the University of Missouri-Kansas City he served for three years as the Assistant Director to Musica Nova, the conservatory's new music ensemble, while teaching a variety of composition classes.
In 2007 he was invited to both the Iceland Academy of the Arts in Reykjavík, Iceland and the Sichuan Conservatory in Chengdu, China to give lectures and master classes in composition. In the summer of 2009, Hartman served as an orchestra manager for the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble and Aspen Opera Theater Center for various performances. He serves on the National Executive Committee of the Society of Composers, Inc. as Submissions Coordinator. His primary composition instructors include James Mobberley, Chen Yi, Zhou Long, Paul Rudy, John Beall, and Jennifer Margaret Barker. He currently teaches music theory at the University of Central Missouri having previously taught at UD (2007–08) and UMKC (2006–07).
Tue, Sep 08, 2009
Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral probably did not know what it was in store for when Charlemagne Palestine was slated to perform there. The first performance of Schlingen-Blängen in America in forty years was a spectacular music experience complete with Palestine's altar of stuffed animals and brandy sniffer.
Tue, Sep 08, 2009
The series of concerts presented by the 2nd International Conference on Music and Minimalism, hosted by UMKC, offered up many juicy tidbits of predominantly American minimalism without including one note from either Steve Reich and Philip Glass. The series should be praised for presenting these important "other" composers - not to mention the stellar performances and mind-altering pieces.
Tue, Sep 29, 2009
I believe everyone has that one composer that they are supposed to like, but for one reason or another, can't. Brahms is that composer for me. I am completely indifferent to his music. Yefim Bronfman is that special type of performer, however, that can make anything sparkle.
Tue, Oct 13, 2009
Nostalgia was a theme in all three works on Saturday night's performance: Kodály's "Dances of Galánta," Dvorák's "Cello Concerto in B Minor" and Rachmaninoff's "Symphonic Dances."
Tue, Oct 20, 2009
Collaborating organizations Civic Opera Theater of Kansas City, Kansas City Chamber Orchestra, and Owen/Cox Dance Group made the fairy realm come to life in their impressive staging of Purcell's Fairy Queen. Primarily known for their contemporary repertoire, it was exciting to see the Civic Opera and Owen/Cox reach back into the catalogue to pursue this Baroque masterpiece. They handled the task admirably with accompaniment provided by the KC Chamber Orchestra under Bruce Sorrell's baton.
Mon, Oct 26, 2009
There was a plethora of choral music concerts in the metro this past week with at least five major performances. Among those offerings were the concerts by the Kansas City Chorale and the Metropolitan Chorale of Kansas City.
Tue, Nov 10, 2009
Kansas City is major center of electronic music composition with many area composers frequently winning international competitions. Most of these composers are members of the Kansas City Electronic Music and Arts Alliance (KcEMA) which was founded in 2007 to develop a community of understanding, appreciation and collaboration of electronic artists, and to support the creation of electronic music and arts.
Tue, Nov 17, 2009
Let me begin by saying Octarium is an exceptionally talented ensemble with stunning voices, synergy and stage presence to spare. There is no place to hide in this ensemble and the singers need not worry about that, as each is magnificent.
Wed, Nov 18, 2009
Wow. Native son David Parson's Parson Dance with members of the East Village Opera Company presented an amazing evening of music and dance at the Folly Theater last Friday as part of the Harriman Jewell Series. The performance is still seared into my brain days later.
Wed, Nov 18, 2009
Percussion Group Kansas City (PGKC) ia made up of members of the Kansas Symphony percussion section, Chris McLaurin, Joseph Petrasek, Matthew Henderson and Lia DeRoin showcased the diverse sonic possibilities attainable with percussion instruments in their all-American program.
Tue, Dec 15, 2009
Giant snowflakes, the Plaza lights, and Unity Temple's holiday bunting chock full of tiny white lights all provided for a lovely backdrop for the Kansas City Chamber Orchestra's performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons last Tuesday.
Wed, Dec 16, 2009
Oh Hoffmann and Tchaikovsky, thank you for writing the basis for the Owen/Cox and People's Liberation Big Band to work their deranged magic upon.
Tue, Jan 12, 2010
The Kansas City Symphony's first concert of the new year presented a new piece, new soloists and a golden standard. Menachem Wiesenberg's "Reflections" in its US premiere showcased the composer's great ear for orchestration and controlled counterpoint.
Wed, Jan 27, 2010
With Michael Stern at the baton and master violinist Gil Shaham accompaning, the Kansas City Symphony shines with a great repertoire from Stravinsky, Barber, Prokofiev and Shostakovich.
Wed, Feb 10, 2010
A frequent complaint about electronic music is that it is dissociative, lacks humanity and physical performers. However, the three works presented by KcEMA, Kansas City Electronic Music and Arts Alliance, were organic, arresting and spoke to the soul and human condition.
Tue, Feb 16, 2010
The music played by the Fountain City Brass Band is pleasing and approachable for any audience. And as evident in the accolades being showered upon them by an international community, this is an ensemble in top form.
Wed, Feb 24, 2010
I could not contain my excitement last week that I would have the good fortune to hear the world's best flutist (no hyperbole) Emmanuel Pahud perform the world premiere of a new concerto by Italian composer Luca Lombardi with the Kansas City Symphony.
Tue, Feb 23, 2010
It was a noble pursuit. Take the text to the Mass Ordinary (every music student's mantra during their early music history days. Repeat after me: "King George Can't Sing Alto") from a slew of composers from the Renaissance to contemporary, throw them together into a pot, and pick out the best pieces to form a new Mass.
Tue, Mar 09, 2010
Music director and conductor Alexei Kornienko displayed clean baton work, excellent communication and dealt with missed entrances and musicians who were clearly lost like a seasoned pro. Poor Kornienko, I wanted to buy him a shot of vodka after this performance.
Tue, Mar 23, 2010
Performing to a packed house, Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Stott on piano showcased the peak echelon of musicianship. They commanded the stage. It was evident that the audience wanted to clap for every note Ma played - but he and Stott ended each movement with such authority and poise that no one dared.
Tue, Mar 23, 2010
Musica Vocale, directed by Arnold Epley, with guest ensemble the Kansas City Baroque Consortium (lead by cellist Trilla Ray-Carter) presented four vastly different multi-movement works in their woefully under-attended concert this past Sunday. As volunteer choirs go, Musica Vocale put forth a wonderful concert of pieces that demand more attention.
Tue, Mar 30, 2010
It might be easy to dismiss the Heartland Men's Chorus "British Invasion" performances last weekend as campy fun, but that would be a great disservice to these gents who can actually sing! The flash, pizzazz, and humor were just an added bonus.
Mon, Apr 05, 2010
For more than 30 years, the Kronos Quartet has been expanding the range and context of traditional quartet music. Through long-running collaborations with today's foremost composers, they have released more than 45 recordings that celebrates the breadth of their creative vision. KCM's Lee Hartman recently spoke with first violinist, David Harrington about his music-making and their upcoming performance at the Lied Center.
Tue, Apr 13, 2010
Melissa Dunphy's new composition, "What do you think I fought for at Omaha Beach?" has been selected as the winning work for the 2010 Simon Carrington Chamber Singers Composition Competition. The Philadelphia-based composer's choral work sets excerpts of public testimony given before the Maine Senate by Phillip Spooner in a hearing to discuss the Marriage Equality Bill on April 22, 2009.
Tue, Apr 20, 2010
The volunteer Kansas City Civic Orchestra showcased some rare musicality all too often absent from amateur ensembles. Under the musical direction of Christopher Kelts, the orchestra presented an enjoyable evening of works by Bruch and Beethoven.
Tue, Apr 20, 2010
After interviewing first violinist David Harrington of the Kronos Quartet the week before, I went to the concert at the Lied Center on April 13 knowing full-well that I was in for an enjoyable evening. The performance did not immediately grab me however. It was not until after the concert was over that I realized the genius of their programming.
Tue, May 18, 2010
Jean Belmont Ford's two works were the most successful of the evening for the KC Chorale. The 'Magnificat' from "Electa" was the set-piece of the concert and rightfully so. More Salome-esque, Delilah-ish than Mary-like, the exotic rhythms played on bass drum and timpano were highlighted by a seductive, sultry solo sung by Rebecca Lloyd. Progressing from the exotic, through more traditional choral writing, and finally ending with vocal effects, the piece was a stunning sonic journey.
Tue, May 18, 2010
The Kansas City Wind Symphony's split program of profane and sacred-esque selections last week provided for an enjoyable evening featuring many warhorses of the wind band repertoire. They have some fine players especially in the horns and clarinets with technique to spare. Phillip Posey has crafted a fine ensemble that is capable of making some great music.
Wed, May 26, 2010
In the penultimate concert of the 2009-10 season, the Kansas City Symphony offered up repetition. Thankfully repetition did not equal boring. Under Michael Stern's baton, Debussy's simple descending-ascending oft-repeated solo flute passage, Higdon's arch-form and textural reiterations, Hindemith's passacaglia, and Ravel's incessant ostinato and melody showcased how four different composer approached the valuable technique of musical repetition.
Tue, Jun 15, 2010
Musica Vocale’s final local concert of the season showcased Aaron Copland’s Four Motets and Arthur Honegger’s King David. This was challenging music, not only for the musicians, but for the audience as well. Those expecting to hear sounds similar to Appalachian Spring and Pacific 231 were probably disappointed, but the Motets and King David were worth the listen.
Mon, Aug 23, 2010
Who says top ten lists need to be created at the end of year? Here is a list of KCM contributor Lee Hartman's personal favorite performances in Kansas City from last season broken into two categories: Local and Visiting.
Tue, Aug 31, 2010
The Lyric Arts Trio showcased very good taste; their program, including a world premiere by Jean Belmont Ford, was enjoyable from start to finish for both the performers and audience.
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