Greetings orchestra conductors, directors and administrators:

I am proud to offer you the opportunity to program a seminal work by Osvaldo Golijov which he is now arranging for orchestras: “The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind.

I'll continue my introduction below the following links. However, for those of you already interested and in a hurry….

Letter from Osvaldo

About “Dreams and Prayers”

About Todd Palmer

Note: the essential contents of this website are contained in a 6-page printer friendly promotional package which you can click here to download now and print out.

“The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind” is widely regarded as a masterpiece, and was premiered in 1994. It has since been performed by many artists, with Todd Palmer having championed it more often than any other clarinetist. Please read Osvaldo's letter explaining his reasons for deciding to make an arrangement for string orchestra, along with his program notes describing it.

To receive a copy of the EMI recording featuring Todd Palmer's performance of “Dreams” (with St. Lawrence String Quartet) please email us.

My personal connection with the work began when I had the good fortune to add the St. Lawrence String Quartet to my roster in 2002. They were just about to release their all-Golijov EMI album, which included “Dreams” with Todd (who actually spearheaded the entire recording project!). I was captivated from the opening bars, and have now heard these artists perform it live over a half-dozen times. The audience response is always the same — stunned silence, followed by wildly enthusiastic applause. Presenters often remark that “Dreams” generates more positive feedback than any other contemporary work they can remember, and critics have been equally effusive. I am as excited as Osvaldo and Todd to make “Dreams” available to orchestral audiences.

A couple of key details: the arrangement is for strings with clarinet soloist, thus preserving the overall sound of the original with quartet. Osvaldo says it can work with most any group of forces — split orchestra size would be fine. And yes, a conductor will be required to navigate the transitions smoothly. Todd Palmer is one of only two clarinetists authorized to perform this arrangement during the exclusivity period , which runs through 2009.

TODD PALMER has performed “The Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind” more often than any other clarinetist, and consulted extensively with the composer for this arrangement. He travels with the five(!) instruments called for in the score, and is very comfortable speaking from the stage or in other settings about the work and his rich relationship with it.

This orchestral arrangement of "Dreams and Prayers" is part of the Magnum Opus project in which patron Kathryn Gould has commissioned nine orchestral works for the Santa Rosa Symphony, the Marin Symphony and the Oakland East Bay Symphony.

Finally I just wanted to take a moment to introduce (or re-introduce) myself. Many of you may not be familiar with me directly, as my emphasis since starting my agency (in 1998) has been in chamber music. Some of you will remember me from my years in Mariedi Anders' office. I am excited to have this opportunity to re-connect with orchestras, and look forward to helping you bring Osvaldo Golijov's compelling vision to your stage!

Sincerely,

David J. Rowe