Michael Anthony, Star Tribune, May 4, 2007
A fitting tribute
The William Bolcom festival put on by VocalEssence could prove to be the classical event of the year.
"For about 10 days this month, the Twin Cities felt buoyant and charged with life. There was new music everywhere you turned, and it was all by William Bolcom, one of this country’s most interesting and valuable composers." Read the full story (PDF)

Rob Hubbard, Pioneer Press, 04/29/2007
Concert Review: Bolcom's magnum opus a powerhouse
"Saturday night's concert proved an awe-inspiring, emotionally draining experience, one in which the visions of Bolcom and Blake combined to cast the brilliance of each in a glowing light..." Read the full story (PDF)

Michael Anthony, Star Tribune, 4/29/07
Concert Review: A sweeping multimedia event illuminates Bolcom's 'Songs'
Some 400 performers raised the roof in the climax of a festival honoring composer William Bolcom.
"...A roaring finale in Bolcom's reggae number, "A Divine Image," that, with Robert Robinson's gospel-tinged solo and 400 musicians playing and singing for all they were worth, seemed to raise the roof ever so slightly and brought the audience instantly to its feet." Read the full story (PDF)

Graydon Royce: Star Tribune, April 28, 2007
Bolcom fest turns to Broadway pro for projection help
When theatrical director Jon Cranney set about giving shape and accent to the current William Bolcom festival, he sought the best help he could find. Which led him to projection designer Wendall K. Harrington. Read more (registration may be required)

Star Tribune: April 28, 2007
Editorial: 'Lime Jell-O' is least of Bolcom's surprises
Festival celebrates a composer of many personalities. Read the full story (PDF)

Morning Edition: Cathy Wurzer interviews Fred Child
Minnesota Public Radio, 4/25/07
Embracing the spectrum of American music
With a musical palate that stretches in style from country to classical to cabaret, Bolcom has earned four Grammys and a Pulitzer and has established himself as a significant musical force. MPR's Cathy Wurzer talked with Fred Child, the host of the American Public Media classical music program Performance Today, about what makes Bolcom a unique composer. Listen to feature story online...

John Birge, host
Karl Gehrke, producer
Minnesota Public Radio feature, 4/24/07
Festival reflects, returns Bolcom's big embrace
Exploring the music of a man whom many consider one of the most important American composers of modern times. Read/listen to feature story...

Kevin Lynch: The Capital Times (Madison, WI), 4/24/07
400 musicians will 'illuminate' Bolcom
A quarter of a century in the making, William Bolcom's "Songs of Innocence and of Experience" is a quintessential American effort, almost heedless in ambition, scale and polyglot style. Read the full story (PDF)

Michael Anthony, Star Tribune, 4/22/07
Concert Review: Cabaret with the Composer
Lively party kicks off 10-day Bolcom festival
The composer and his wife did some of his cabaret songs. Then the other singers took their turns and shined.

Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, April 2007
Online video feature
Mpls.St.Paul Magazine arts and entertainment editor Tad Simons talks with Philip Brunelle and honored composer William Bolcom about the festival that's bringing together the biggest names in the Twin Cities classical and choral music scene. Link to view the 4-minute video at mspmag.com

Chuck Terhark, City Pages, 4/21/07
Illuminating Bolcom: Cabaret with the Composer
The Twin Cities will ring out with the sounds of Bolcom's massive oeuvre, encompassing nearly every musical form this great country ever had ears for...Read the A-List Recommendation

David Hawley, Pioneer Press, 4/19/07
Composer William Bolcom's vast repertoire makes the most of local musical resources
Some events give special meaning to that old sales pitch: "See it now, or see it never." Such is the case for "Songs of Innocence and of Experience," a gargantuan work billed as the centerpiece of a two-week festival that celebrates the astonishing diversity of William Bolcom, a composer who embraces everything from reggae and ragtime to violin sonatas and grand opera.

Michael Anthony, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 4/15/07
William Bolcom: Master mixer
Grammy-winning composer William Bolcom is as comfortable with cabaret and reggae as he is with symphonies and operas. A festival celebrating his music starts in Minnesota this week, spearheaded by VocalEssence.

Michael Barone, American Public Media's Pipedreams, 4/9/07 (program 0715)
Those Gospel Preludes
In an interview with host Michael Barone, composer William Bolcom provides glimpses into the creation of his beguiling re-imaginings of familiar American tunes.
Listen to entire program online

Tim Gihring, Minnesota Monthly, April 2007
The Genius Within
Why the Twin Cities arts community is throwing composer William Bolcom the festival of his life. Read more...

William Randall Beard, Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, April 2007
King of the Sonic Sphere
Illuminating Bolcom celebrates the breadth and depth of one of America’s greatest living composers. Read more...

Kerri Miller, Midmorning, Minnesota Public Radio. 3/16/07
A man of many talents
Midmorning welcomes composer William Bolcom, who started out as a piano prodigy and became one of America's greatest composers. He'll discuss his career, his collaboration with wife Joan Morris, and his epic work "Songs of Innocence and of Experience" with host Kerri Miller.
Listen to call in radio show archive