Carter / Griffiths: What Next?

The premiere recording of the first-ever opera by America's greatest living composer, released to coincide with his 95th birthday, is a major new music event. Going against the archetypes of “late work”, Carter’s opera is spirited, energetic, full of power. As The Economist recently observed, “Today Elliott Carter is writing music of dazzling brilliance and subtlety: this is an invigorating explosion of creativity.” Peter Eötvös draws superlative performances from a gifted cast. The University of Rochester Press has just published a book-length study of “What Next?” by Guy Capuzzo. It’s the first time an entire volume has been devoted to one Elliott Carter composition. Through an approach that places stage action, words, and music on equal footing, Professor Capuzzo explores the inner workings of this tragicomedy by composer Carter and librettist Griffiths.