The Warbler Sings

Pianist and composer Paul Safar is a versatile composer, performer and music educator living and working in Eugene, Oregon. Having received his B.Mus from the College- Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio, he draws upon his classical music training while encorporating various popular styles. He has produced six CDs of original music, from folk to classical to jazz and children’s music. His choir pieces have been performed in Seattle and Eugene and his chamber music in New York City’s CAMI Hall. In 1995, Paul had an original folk opera, “Chenoa” performed by the Dark County Civic Theatre in Greenville, Ohio. He wrote the music for the children’s theatre musical “Nisse’s Dream” (Book by Nancy Wood) premiered at the Lord Leebrick Theatre, Eugene, OR in summer 2005. Paul Safar and Nancy Wood, co founders of Cherry Blossom Musical Arts have produced numerous theatrical works in the Eugene area. These performances emphasize collaboration with dancers, poets, video and circus artists to live, original music. Paul received the Oregon Music Teachers Composer of the Year Award for 2013-14. His song cycle “The Warbler Sings” was premiered at the Newport Center for the Performing Arts in August 2014. Paul is a member of Cascadia Composers, the Oregon area chapter of NACUSA. He has had his pieces performed in Portland by Fear No Music and at the Portland International Piano Festival. Paul is in demand as a freelance pianist and vocalist. As a chamber music performer he works both as accompanist to soprano Nancy Wood and half of a piano duo with Ben Farrell. He enjoys a busy piano teaching studio working with students of all ages.

Paul Nancy photo

Paul Safar and Nancy Wood

photos by Chris Leck

IN REVIEW:

NOVEMBER 4, 2014 - MUSIC - OREGON ARTSWATCH
by GARY FERRINGTON

The piece engaged my need for attentive listening with haiku text such as “Pond frog plop” or “Winter downpour even the monkey needs a raincoat” combined with Safar’s acoustic plucking of the piano strings and momentary statements, sometimes abstract and at others jazz-like, by other instruments.

track samples - 60 sec.

The Warbler Sings, Paul Safar Settings of haiku of Basho curated by Nancy Wood Nancy Wood, soprano Dave Bender, trumpet and flugelhorn Nathan Waddell, double bass Paul Safar, piano
1. *Prelude-Part I*
2. *Interlude # 1*
3. *Part II*
4. *Part III*
5. *Interlude # 2*
6. *Part IV*
7. *Postlude*
8. Intermezzo No. 1 “Geese in the Moonlight”
9. *Moonfish* Story by Nancy Wood Nancy Wood, narrator The Delgani String Quartet: Jannie Wei and Wyatt True, violins Kimberlee Uwate, viola Kelly Quesada, cello
10. *Blue* Text by Nancy Wood Lisa McWhorter, Mathew Fuller, violins Leslie Straka, viola David Straka, cello Nancy Wood and Paul Safar, soprano and baritone voices
11. Intermezzo No.2 “Dawn, Singular Heron” For Maggie Gontrum Paul Safar, piano
12. Romanza “The Candle’s Flame” For Nancy Wood Wyatt True, violin Paul Safar, piano
13. *Spider* Text by Mishoaka Shiki Nancy Wood, soprano Paul Safar, piano
14. *Cat on a Wire* Diane Chaplin, cello Andrew Teem, doumbek Alli Bach, zills
15. *Bossacaglia* For Judy Tanner Paul Safar, piano
16. *Ocean* From “Suite for Peggy Sioux” Nancy Wood, soprano Paul Safar, piano
In The Warbler Sings, “The Old Pond,” “A Bee” and “Bush Warbler” from The Essential Haiku: Versions of Basho, Buson and Issa, edited and with an introduction by Robert Hass. ©1994 by Robert Hass. Unless otherwise noted, all translations copyright ©1994 by Robert Hass. Used by permission of Harper Collins Publishers

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