Judith Shatin's Fall is shaping up to be a very busy time of performances of her music throughout the U.S. and in Russia.

On October 14 at 7:30 PM, Judith's Akhmatova Songs, a Russian setting of three of this poet's inspiring poems, will be performed by Dinosaur Annex at First Church on Marlboro St. in Boston. A chat with the composer begins at 6:30. More info at http://www.dinosaurannex.org/season.htm

On October 16 at 8:00 PM, For the Birds, for amplified cello and electronics made from birdsong from the Yellowstone Region will be performed by cellist Madeleine Shapiro at the Judson Church, 55 Washington Square South in New York. The program is part of the EMF Foundation's "Ear to the Earth" series." For tickets and more information, visit http://www.emfproductions.org

Saxophonist Susan Fancher will perform the premiere of the soprano sax/electronics version of Penelope's Song on Thursday, October 25 at the 4th Annual UNCG New Music Festival. Shatin will introduce her piece at the start of the 7:00 PM concert. Festival information at http://www.uncg.edu/mus/NMFSchedule.htm

On November 3 at 8:00 PM, Judith's Songs of War and Peace (SATB + piano), will be performed by Cantori New York, conducted by Mark Shapiro, at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 316 East 88th Street in New York City. The performance is part of the "Judith Project," with music by four Judiths: Bingham, Shatin, Weir and Zaimont. For more information about this unusual idea, go here.

On November 9 at 8 PM, Civil War Memories: Inside Out will be presented at TechnoSonics VIII at Live Arts in downtown Charlottesville. The music is a digital transformation of a Civil War diary, read by Ed Ayers, noted historian of the South. The piece was originally commissioned by the Jane Franklin Dance Company, and this performance will include the premiere of University of Virginia digital artist Lydia Moyer's video, created especially for this occasion. This year's Live Arts theme is Music (In/Of/About) Place, and will also include music by Judith's fine colleagues, Matthew Burtner and Ted Coffey, as well as former graduate student Kyoko Kobayashi and guest artist Scott Smallwood.

And, in November, Judith is delighted to announce that the Da Capo Chamber Players will be performing Akhmatova Songs in St. Petersburg at the Soundways Festival, and on 11/23 at the Dom Kompositorov in Moscow, as part of the Moscow Autumn Festival - http://www.k-c-p.com/dacapo/,

Alas, she will not be able to be at the Russian performances, but is confident that Da Capo will give outstanding performances ... .and the great Lucy Shelton, who recorded these songs for Judith's Dreamtigers CD (more about this elsewhere in this issue), will be joining them for the trip.

During the summer of 2007, Judith Shatin taught on the Semester-at-Sea program run by the University of Virginia. She writes about the experience, "We are back from our eye-opening and inspiring voyage down the Pacific coast of Central and South America! The teaching experience was also fun, and I learned a lot about the compelling musics from this region. It was an extraordinary opportunity to experience a rich group of cultures, as well as awe-inspiring locations, ranging from the Galapagos to Macchu Pichu to Lake Atitlan." Sounds like it really was a wonderful (and excellent) adventure! You can read the blog of her Semester-at-Sea - http://www.sequenza21.com/Shatin/.

Judith Shatin has two superb, critically acclaimed CDs available:

Dreamtigers

This exquisite new recording (Innova CD 613) features performances by the Da Capo Chamber Players, soprano Lucy Shelton and guitarist William Zito, all produced by Grammy-Award-winner Judith Sherman. Selections include Werther, Gazebo Music, Secret Ground, Dreamtigers, Akhmatova Songs and View from Mt. Nebo.

Fanfare said of Dreamtigers, "...a strong and original voice... Shatin's curiosity and sense of adventure gives this material life... She seems to be at heart a storyteller. Shatin's music is honored by bright, alert playing from all concerned. Soprano Lucy Shelton can be singled out for her luminous rendition of the Akhmatova Songs.

and...

Piping the Earth

This marvelous disk (Capstone CPS 8727) captures performances by the Moravian Philharmonic, Joel Suben, conductor, Gayle Martin Henry, piano, Renée Siebert, flute and the Prism Chamber Orchestra , Robert Black, conductor. Selections include Piping the Earth, Stringing the Bow (now there's a familiar title...), Ruah and The Passion of St. Cecilia.

New Music Connoisseur said of this disk, "Judith Shatin has a strong musical personality, an assurance made firmer by this CD; it's a major release."

For more information about composer Judith Shatin, including bio, performances, list of CDs and much more, visit http://www.judithshatin.com. You can also contact Jeffrey James Arts Consulting at 516-586-3433 or jamesarts@worldnet.att.net.