Mark Hagerty
ABOUT - Mark Hagerty
Mark Hagerty is an award-winning, highly individualistic American composer who pursued classical training as an instrumentalist, singer, and composer, and then determined his own path, outside of any tradition or institution.
He has been developing two compositional practices in parallel—one that extends historic, particularly pre-classical forms, and a second that sets all traditions aside in favor of forays into more extreme forms and modes of expression. In all cases, he strives for a deep connection with performers and listeners, and his music has found enthusiastic audiences internationally and across the United States.
He is currently working in larger forms and exploring the melding of sound sculpture with more intimate musical expression. Inspirations include science and nature, the poetry of Wallace Stevens, backpacking in Vermont’s Green Mountains, the art music of India, and his two favorite cities, Amsterdam and Rio de Janeiro.
Mark Hagerty Discography
Up to the Light
Up to the Light (2021)
Mélomanie’s fifth new-music recording, the double CD Up to the Light, captures the four major works resulting from the ensemble’s remarkable decades-long collaboration with award-winning composer Mark Hagerty.
The composer takes a novel approach with each work. Trois Rivières (remastered here from Mélomanie’s CD, Florescence), an evocative set of three chaconnes, takes full advantage of the opulent late French baroque harpsichord sound and uses all baroque instruments, including two baroque flutes. The energetic and episodic Ultraviolet (reproduced here from Mélomanie’s CD of the same name) adds an exotic array of percussion for a strikingly original sonic amalgam.
New with this recording, Icelandic Songs, Sacred and Secular is a set of colorful arrangements of traditional songs, ranging from the deeply spiritual to the harshly primitive. Also new, Up to the Light adds vibraphone and chime in an extended set of variations that reflect on the dedicatee’s life-long journey from the dark trauma of war “up to the light.”
The Realm of Possibility
The Realm of Possibility (2013)
"The character and argument of The Realm engaged me." Pianist Curt Cacioppo performs a tour de force for this limited edition CD release. Presented in small format art book, this release is sure to become a collectors item for its historical capture of Curt’s "engagement" of the solo works by award winning composer Mark Hagerty. "The Realm of Possibility" is a multi movement masterpiece exploring variations of its self imploding motif. From the universal beginning to expansive canvases of imagination, it is a work that will forever bring new discovery upon successive listening.
“Breaking your own rules is liberating…” And this is exactly what composer Mark Hagerty does with the companion work After Duchamp. Matching The Realm’ with multiple movements, this solo work can be engaged on harpsichord or piano. Such freedom of interpretation often allows performer to wander into absolute creativity, or absolute chaos. Maestro Cacioppo takes on this challenge with amazing insight and sensitivity, you are sure to feel new possibilities within yourself.
This release is limited to 1000 hardbound art book miniatures containing in depth reflections by Curt Cacioppo, composer interview by fellow composer Ingrid Arauco, and replica art prints by Michelle Samour. Recorded in high resolution to bring Bösendorfer Model 280 No.48941 into your living room.
Forays
Forays (2012)
Award winning composer Mark Hagerty makes a FORAY into your senses with his latest release. Let yourself explore just how far he can take you on this journey of new music and sound sculpture!
"High Octane" starts your listening journey in full throttle! Commissioned by Philadelphia based new music ensemble Relâche. This performance will drive you to the edge of your seat! "Creation Myth" will place you in disbelief that this is a solo performance commissioned by world-renowned percussionist Chen Zimbalista. "Sea Level" lets us ride the waves of beautiful melody and rhythm. A contemplative performance by Kim Reighley, we swim in the warmth of the developing Ritornello motif as inspired by the plains and ocean shore of the Netherlands.
"Forays" may begin with the comforts of tenor voice cello and soft percussion, but Mark has something very special to present to you. Comfort soon becomes question, 'did I hear correctly'? Once you realize what kind of ride you are in for it is too late! Strap in and enjoy the adrenalin rush Ovidiu and Chris have in store for you.
Soliloquy
Soliloquy - Double Disc Set (2011)
"In the 2-disc Soliloquy, the surprise is the strength carried by lightness. These suites float like a dragonfly and zing like peppermint tea. The Cello Suite 2, performed soulfully by Douglas McNames, is profound but never moribund, and it may occur to you later how seldom you hear that nowadays. I’d call it optimistic, but that’s not quite it. It’s full of life, the parts that are good and the parts that are, perhaps, just real."
- Kile Smith