Oliver Daniel Interviews Wallingford Riegger

The NYPR Archive Collections | Jan 1, 2000

Daniel Oliver announces the premiere of a new sinfonietta by Wallingford Rieggler. He mentions that he has many pseudonyms. They discuss the origin of these pseudonyms, particularly Gerald Wilfring Gore, an anagram developed by a publisher that had hired him.

They talk about the origins of his new sinfonietta. It was commissioned by BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.). It was composed in pieces over several years. Rieggler agrees with the interviewer that he is not offended if performers chose to split up the various pieces.




Daniel Oliver announces the premiere of a new sinfonietta by Wallingford Rieggler. He mentions that he has many pseudonyms. They discuss the origin of these pseudonyms, particularly Gerald Wilfring Gore, an anagram developed by a publisher that had hired him.

They talk about the origins of his new sinfonietta. It was commissioned by BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.). It was composed in pieces over several years. Rieggler agrees with the interviewer that he is not offended if performers chose to split up the various pieces.

The sinfonietta is simple compared to his other 12-tone work. Rieggler discusses his Jeckll and Hyde approach to music, a dichotomy. He was raised with the core western canon composers, but became a modernist.

He consciously choses to avoid conventional harmony and tonality. He naturally hears the harmonies and melodies one would expect to hear however.

Rieggler discusses his early start composing, at age four. These works and memories contribute to his Jeckll and Hyde approach.

They discuss his upcoming work.

Is he the "dean of American composers"? Rieggler does not see himself as the "dean" of anything.


Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection


WNYC archives id: 150257
Municipal archives id: LT9101

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