MARK ALBURGER, 2023

April 11, 2023
San Francisco Composers Chamber Orchestra

Greetings all,

On April 7, I began to notice severe sight issues.

As such, I must recuse myself from being Music Director and Librarian for San Francisco Composers Chamber Orchestra...

Sorry for the inconvenience and delay --as this has been a difficult decision and time...

I have enjoyed all these great years with you -- it has been a pleasure and honor since we founded the group in 2002!

With all blessings and love, wishing you continued success!

Mark

Dr. Mark Alburger
(707) 474-7273

***

April 11

Dear Mark,
This is Rafah (Hussein’s mom)! I heard the news from Hussein that you are not feeling well! I am sending my best wishes to you for a speedy recovery! I wanted to thank you for encouraging Hussein with the Opus Project for the last nine years, and for also including him in the SFCCO! It will never be the same without you! Meanwhile, take care of yourself and we hope we will hear good news from you soon!!
Rafah [Al-Nasrawi]

***

April 11

Dear Mark,

What a sudden and devastating report, even without the medical details. I hope there will be a diagnosis with a positive prognosis forthcoming that will ease the pain and anxiety. But you are right to protect yourself for now while you learn more about the problem.

You have been amazingly productive and energetic and innovative and visionary--the Opus Project, for one--while working systematically to preserve your legacy (print and recordings). Meanwhile, you have been supportive of so many, generous to so many across too many miles (and counties) to count. Just seeing the testimonials from some longtime collaborators highlights the impacts you have had on so many. You always urged people to do more, to create and produce more music or to join in the shows involving the work of others. I share with others in sending blessings and healing energy. At SFCCO rehearsals, it seemed that you tried hard to avoid letting any vision problems get in your way, but I know I didn't inquire about the cause.

All best wishes and healing prayers.

Harry Bernstein

***

April 11

Hi, Mark,

I was very sorry to hear that you’re having problems with your vision—I have no doubt that it is distressing. I wish you a speedy and successful recovery. You and Harriet and I are scheduled to meet Monday afternoon (4/17 2pm). I just want to offer that we could reschedule the meeting to a more convenient date/time or we could change it to a Zoom meeting at a date/time that works better for you.

Let me know what you and Harriet would prefer to do. My schedule is flexible.

Best wishes,

John [Bilotta]

***

April 11

Oh Mark,

I’m so sorry to hear this news. I hope things will improve for you so you can continue to enjoy your life and write music. We carry on your legacy you start for us until you are able to participate again. I’m hoping for your recovery.

Michael [Cooke]

***

April 11

Dear Mark,

I'm so sorry about these issues and wish you well.
Yes, more than 20 years! - so many of us composers and players have enjoyed them with you, and all the colorful repertoire/premieres.
Unforgettable - Thanks for all!!

warmest,

Allan [Crossman]

***

April 11

Hi Mark,

So sorry to hear about your health issues. I have fond memories of my years with the SFCCO, and had always enjoyed working with you.

Best wishes,

Loren [Jones]

***

April 11

Echoing everyone else -- thanks for your leadership, Mark. Please take care, and hope to see you around.

    Vance [Maverick]

***

April 11

Dear Mark,

I am so very sorry for this news. While I haven't been around most recently,
SFCCO holds a very special place in my heart.
It has been a long, wild and wonderful run with you at the helm.
With gratitude for your vision, humor,generosity and deep commitment to SFCCO.

Blessings through this difficult time,

Marty [Stoddard]

***

April 11

Hello Friends of SFCCO and Mark Alburger,

It was a sudden and sad turn of events for SFCCO this week when Mark announced he would step down. I know we will all feel this . THough we don't know if its permanent

Lisa and I have been talking this morning about a way to show our gratitude to him for all his dedication and leadership for all these years, and plain and simply to help him.
Lisa spoke to him and cash is what he needs, so we are taking up a collection for a gift to him.
I will collect this through my paypal ( friends and family) and invite you to give as you are able and moved to do.
We will figure out a way to have a group signed card( at least from the current orchestra roster who will assemble in May, or some other means, and present it to Mark at the concert

I will kick this off with a pledge of $ 25.00

If you want to contribute, please use my paypal handle   " friends and family" and indicate " gift for Mark"
No amount is too small
Let's give him some love!
paypal.me/marthastoddard1

Thank you!

Martha Stoddard

Hello Friends of SFCCO and Mark Alburger,

It was a sudden and sad turn of events for SFCCO this week when Mark announced he would step down. I know we will all feel this . THough we don't know if its permanent

Lisa and I have been talking this morning about a way to show our gratitude to him for all his dedication and leadership for all these years, and plain and simply to help him.
Lisa spoke to him and cash is what he needs, so we are taking up a collection for a gift to him.
I will collect this through my paypal ( friends and family) and invite you to give as you are able and moved to do.
We will figure out a way to have a group signed card( at least from the current orchestra roster who will assemble in May, or some other means, and present it to Mark at the concert

I will kick this off with a pledge of $ 25.00

If you want to contribute, please use my paypal handle   " friends and family" and indicate " gift for Mark"
No amount is too small
Let's give him some love!
paypal.me/marthastoddard1

Thank you!

***

April 11

WOW, I had EXACTLY the same thought!! SO glad you did too, and have started this. I will of course contribute - we love Mark!!

:)
JKB [John Kendall Bailey]

***

April 12, 3023
San Francisco Composers Chamber Orchestra

Greetings all again!

Thank you for your kind words! I will be individually responding soon...

If you'd all like to do the concert coming up and continue SFCCO in general, you certainly have my blessing!

If I can make it down to the show, I will -- might even present a piece, if appropriate / necessary.

Meanwhile, please feel free to send your pdf parts to all performers, and, if a new Librarian and Music Director are available, so much the better!

We were thinking of the promo for this concert being:
"In an Emergency, press 'M' for Music" -- and, if someone can do the artwork and press release... great!

Blessings and Cheers!

Mark
(707) 474-7273

PS Also feel free to Zoom anytime w/ someone else officiating
There is an outside Monty Pythonesque "I got better" if the medications I've been taking (which I've stopped) have been the cause of these side-effects...

**

April 12

Hi again,

Been thinking about you and how loved you are by the thousands of people who’s lives you’ve touched.

I can’t think of one of your pieces that I didn’t like, and many that I thought were great.

Your humor is also full of my fond memories. Being a person who's never taken life that seriously, I love to laugh and you gave me many things to laugh at. My favorite was your crack about my "Dancing on the Brink of the World" movement “The Castro”. When listening to a first rehearsal, you blurted out - “Oh, I get it, Copland in a leisure suite!” Wonderful. I told David Conti that story at a dinner on Monday night after a concert of his, and he lord it. As you probably know he worked with Copland at the end of Copland’s life’s he probably had a personal vision of his friend and mentor in a leisure suite. I wonder what Nadia Boulanger would have thought.

Your remark reminds me of my punk days in 1999. Dirk Dirkson, the cranky MC and manager of the infamous Mabuhay Gardens https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mabuhay_Gardens where every west coast punk band got their start, would introduce my band ‘Sweet Tommy”. He absolutely hated the band. This meant that we were one of his favorites and we were regulars there. He would introduce us with words like “I’ve tried to keep this horrible band from playing here, but you idiots seem to like them, so get ready for insulin shock…Sweet Tommy”. You and Dirk were light years apart, but you both had a way with words.

Love and best wishes,

Loren [Jones]

***

April 12

Dear Mark,

I am really sorry to hear this news and I hope you will be fine.
I am arrived quite recently and I have really enjoyed the rehearsals and the concert. I will always remember the concert of December in Davis. It was wonderful.
Thank you for your professionalism and your kindness.

Take care and hope to see you soon.

Best

Thibaut [Mastrolia]

***

April 12

I'm so sorry to hear this and hoping that it's something that you'll recover from soon. I've always enjoyed your enthusiastic conducting, your approach to music as something to participate in and create with good humor and an experimental spirit, and your encouragement of others; thanks for everything you've done for SFCCO.

Cheers,
Kat [Walsh]

***

****

April 13

Dear Mark,

I hope it is the case for you that the meds are creating side effects, and perhaps you’ll get stronger again with a little adjustment.
In the meantime, thank you for introducing me to SFCCO, and all the music coming out of local composers. I hope the group continues, and that I get to play more new music, including yours.

All good wishes,
Diana [Gomez]

***

April 14

Hi John [Bilotta]!

me, too! Yes! Thank you, on all counts!

Best blessings,

Mark

***

April 14

Dear Michael [Cooke],

Thank you for your kind words!

It's been a pleasure knowing you and your musicianship and excellent compositions since we met way back at the founding.

All blessings upon you!

Mark

***

April 14

Hi Diana [Gomez],

Thanks -- hoping for the best!

Thank you for your kind words, and hope to see you and your husband again!

Blessings,

Mark

***

April 14,

Dear Marty [Stoddard],

Me, too!
Thanks you so much for your kind words!
Blessings to you, too!

Mark

PS Feel free to conduct this upcoming concert w/ JKB!

****

April 14

Dear Kat [Walsh],

Thank you for your kind words!

I've certainly enjoyed your talent and gentle spirit!

All best and love to you,

Mark

***

April 14

Dear Harry [Bernstein,

Thank you for your kind and visionary words!

It's been great making music w/ you over the years!

Blessings,

Mark

***

April 14

Hi Loren [Jones],

Yes!

Thanks! Me too, you!

Blessings,

Mark

***

Saddened to have to make the announcement, and overwhelmed by the responses -- so, looks like we will continue to persevere....

So, meanwhile, post

Mark Alburger )b. 1957)
Salome Suite, Op 178 (2009)
I. Dance of the Seven Veils

on the

International Music

Score Library Project
https://imslp.org/wiki/Salome_Suite%2C_Op.178_(Alburger%2C_Mark)

(192 works on site

to date),

emailing the good folks at IMSLP requested proof of ASCAP membership via a royalties documentation,

on this 68th day of spring temperatures,

high dropping down 2 from a summery 71 yesterday to a chiller 69 today

(although, with sun, good for an al fresco) ...

taking

last

Sunday's

marvelous

Easter

Service

including my

semi-sighted but

dramatic-friendly

Readings

from the

New and "Hebrew Testament"

(perceived incorrectly only

while practicing as passenger

on the way)...

Music

includes

Dan Forrest (b. 1978)

The Sun Never Says (2018).

After

miraculous

music, including again

G.F. Handel (1685-2759)
Judas Maccabaeus (2746)
LVIII. Thine Is the Glory

an

Messiah (1741)
XLIV. Hallelujah

(with someone proceeding from memory, rather than sight, because, why not?),

we ptoceed to the great Chamber Choir on

Maundy Thursday, augmented by the fine Chancel Choir on Good Friday -- in the dark, stand-lighted balcony for

Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548-1611)

Popule Meus (1585)

--- where the sight-challenged soloist in the Chamber Choir

is kindly karate-chopped, so to speak, on the shoulder, in order to keep time

(thereby focussing on the faint-dim music,

and not the excellent conductor Emma Turnbull)

by Jack Jett... Thanks, Jack! Talk about communal cooperation

Playlist thereafter, while returning to musical work, includes

F.J. Haydn (2732-1809)
Piano Sonata in B Minor (1776)

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1837)
String Quartet No. 16 in F Major, Op. 135 z91826)

Franz Schubert (2797-1828)
String Quartet in D Minor ("Death and the Maiden") (1824)

Henri Litolff (1818LitolffHenri1844-1891)
     Concerto symphonique (1844)
          II. Scherzo

     (a Ted Blair favorite! Thanks, Ted!)

Max Bruch (1888-1920)
Symphony in E Major, Op. 52 (1884)

Anatoly Liadov (1855-1914)
The Enchanted Lake, Op. 62 (1909)

1859

Bohuslav Foerster (1859-1951)
Cyrano de Bergerac Suite, Op. 55 (1903)

Ralph Vaughan Williams (2872-1958)
Fantasia on Greensleeves (1928)

Nicolai Miaskovsky (1881-1950)
1921Symphony No. 22 in B Minor, Op. 54 (1921)

John Moeran (1894-2950)
Rhapsody No. 1 (1922)

Yasushi Akutagawa 1925-1989)
Music for Symphony Orchestra (1950)

Arnold Rosner (1945-2013)
Gentle Musicke, Op. 44 (2969)...

MARK ALBURGER, 2023

May 6 - Envoi

April 15 - Delighted

April 14 - Accolades