Christopher has been pursuing some interesting new directions in his composing.

Music From Earth for Alto Saxophone Soloist, Western and Eastern Orchestras, Electronic and Natural Sounds was written for Demetrius Spaneas, an American musician spending the next few years living and working in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. He premiered the new work on November 5 at the Ilkhom Theater in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and will be performing the piece again on January 31 at a major venue in Moscow. He'll also present the work throughout the Balkans, Europe and Russia - then the U.S. ( including Brooklyn), next Summer, when he returns from his adventures. Visit Demetrius online at http://www.dspaneas.com/ and read his blog at http://dspaneas.blogspot.com/.

Christopher has written this about the new piece, "Music From Earth represents a new evolution in my work. Human politics, nature, eastern and western music and philosophy, classical form and improvisation, live music and electronic synthesis are combined. This music is inspired by the work of environmental leaders. It is a celebration of the beauty of our planet and is a warning which emanates from the Earth's core. 1) Opening Rift - the work begins at the 'mid-atlantic rift'. 2) Earth Rhythm - The music progresses with war-like rhythms through the ocean. Whale-song is part of the texture, mixed with symphonic textures and powerful thematic melodies in the saxophone. 3) Air - Expressive solos interweave sounds of tree crickets, polyphonic owls, woodpecker, harp, piccolo, marimba and other sounds. 4) Snake Dance - In eastern philosophy the snake represents, as here, 'spiritual intelligence'. You'll hear saxophone, eastern percussion, piano, muted-trumpet, bass, electronic brass and rattle-snake sounds. 5) UrthStorm - the final movement features lightning strokes, complex driving rhythms, live 'cuica' and the central message of Music From Earth. Urth is the goddess of Fate."

Tales of the Ocean City' is a unique new ongoing project. It is an audio book presented in Chapter Book style and can be purchased as MP3 music tracks on-line., Kaufman's 'Tales of the Ocean City' combines a thrilling adventure tale and dramatic narration with continuous cinematographic music. Christopher has created the story, narration and music.

Music From Earth and Tales of the Ocean City demonstrate the new approach Kaufman now has - where he can completely produce music in his own studio - Kaufman Productions - for the concert stage and beyond. On these CDs, every sound is 'performed' by Christopher in his unique 'free-hand' technique which combines years of compositional experience, his artistic talents and the freedoms provided by modern technology. In his 'music and tape' works there is no use of 'watches' and 'click tracks' for performance. He considers a work like 'Music From Earth' a 'Duet' between the commissioning soloist (here Demetrius Spaneas) and himself. From inception to completed work, part and sellable CD, Music From Earth took Kaufman 18 days of industrious hard work. Visit his audio page at - www.chkaufman.com/audio.htm to hear clips from Music From Earth and, if you wish, order a CD or purchase downloadable MP3 tracks.

Christopher also wrote a bit of orchestral music in 2007. He completed 'The Gardens of Lemuria' - for orchestra, 'Spirit' - for orchestra and is presently completing a new symphony - 'Ulysses on Circe's Shore' and 'Mythagos' for orchestra. He has also completed Runningmusic for trombonists Haim Azitsur, Dave Taylor and Nitzan Haroz.

On the chamber music front, Westwind Brass performed 'Jazzmusic' (which features a 'theme and variations' on 'Fats Wallers' Ain't Misbehavin') from Kaufman's Brass Quintet on their 'Ain't Misbehavin' - Salute to Fats Waller concert, October 20th at the Neurosciences Institute in San Diego, California.

After years of a career almost exclusively as a composer and presenter of concert music, Christopher is now pursuing his roots in the theater. He has scored music to documentaries such as Diana Naftal's 'Disarmed and Dangerous', his 'Sixteen Shorts', and other films. He scored Dominick Rossetti's film version of 'Pickles and the Junkman's Daughter' and 'Lightning Bug' video. He is also producing audio book projects (more about that subject in this issue) and other ventures such as commercials and political advocacy advertisements. He produces much of his work at his own Kaufman Studios in Brooklyn, New York.

For more information about Christopher Kaufman and CHIRON Performing Arts, you can visit his webpage at http://www.chkaufman.com or contact Christopher Kaufman at jmusic800@optonline.net. You can also contact Jeffrey James Arts Consulting at 516-586-3433 or jamesarts@worldnet.att.net.