DENIS ApIVOR Opus 101

A letter from Gordon Rumson August 2000

Greetings,

Just a short time ago I received from the composer Denis ApIvor a small booklet about his most recent composition. This is very exciting and interesting for at least two reasons.

First, Denis ApIvor, who was born in 1916 and who has written 100 opus numbers of works in all genres, has not been able to compose since about 1996 due to certain health issues. Now, he has recovered his strength, taken up his pen and composed opus 101.

Second, the news is exciting because of the nature of the work. It is entitled "The Trickster", with words by Philip Heseltine, taking up an idea of Carl Jung and set for three singers and small ensemble. Denis ApIvor, himself a song composer of great distinction, and who is an authority upon the music of Heseltine/Warlock is perhaps ideally suited to set these remarkable words by the young Heseltine written in 1916.

The poem is amazing and ApIvor's program note is very intriguing.

Sadly, I have not yet seen the music, though I have asked the composer to send me a copy at my expense. Further, I have offered to assist in any way in the preparation of the parts. Let us hope that a performance/recording can take place as soon as possible.

Someone said to me that Denis ApIvor has the heart of a lion. His commitment to his art in spite of almost total disinterest is in itself proof of an almost reckless energy. Yes, I am a Œfan¹, but do not think I am a fool about this. ApIvor writes excellent music. Let us hope more of it will be heard.  

All best wishes,
Gordon Rumson
Pianist and composer

"It speaks volumes that our culture places its prosperity in the hands of nothing better than a bunch of crapshooters in the stock market." Gordon Rumson

Web page: http://www.cadvision.com/Home_Pages/accounts/liszt/rumson.html and: http://movies.commons.ucalgary.ca/ccc

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