We are delighted to welcome Swiss-based American composer and trumpeter Jalalu-Kalvert Nelson to the Composers Edition family. Nelson’s richly varied music often fuse distinctive elements drawn from a panoply of interests propagated by a wide range of commissioners, performers, teachers and encouragers of his music over many years.
Since studying composition with John Eaton and Iannis Xenakis at Indiana University in the mid 1970s Nelson has received regular commissions including from the Oklahoma Symphony, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, the Dale Warland Singers, The Asko-Schoenberg Ensemble, The Kronos Quartet, The Jose Limon Dance Company and The Bern-Neufeld chamber Orchestra. Most recently Souvenirs was commissioned by pianist Martin Christ and premiered in November 2020 at Das Instituit, Bern.
A long list of prestigious awards have supported a musical practice spanning North and South America, Europe and Japan. Alongside compositions for orchestras, choirs, chamber ensembles his output includes works for and performances in free-improvisation ensembles and a highly respected in creative music education practice. He is in international demand as a performer, including his highly successful Cookcert project in which three “Music Chefs” perform improvised jazz music while preparing and serving a full three-course meal.
Current commissions include works for Ensemble Contrechamps, Geneva and Cantum Noveum, Zurich.
“I’m very pleased to begin my association with Composers Edition. I have the feeling that this will be a good fit for me, and for my direction as a composer. I am happy to join a roster of such an interesting and diverse group of composers.”
Jalalu-Kalvert Nelson
An initial selection of works focusses on chamber and vocal music:
“I Can’t Breathe”
Eric Garner in Memoriam for boys or men’s chorus
In memory of Eric Garner, who died by the hands of the New York city Police on Staten Island in 2014. The only text in this work are the last words spoken by him: “I can’t breathe”. The last work in this work is the word, “Erica”. This is the name of Mr. Garner’s daughter who until her untimely death, fought for justice for her father. This is also a tribute to her.
Love Songs of Yosano Akiko
for three sopranos and ensemble
Settings of the late Nineteenth Century poet expressing intimate feelings and impressions from nature – essentially feelings of love, longing and desire. Conceived as a kind of ritual as in the Kabuki performance tradition.
String Quartet No.2
Bent Out of Shape/Speakings
Full of abrupt changes and different moods, this work also makes effective use of the performers voices.
The Light Shines
for vocal ensemble
The text of this work is a modified form of the first book of John Chapter 1 verse 5.
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