Michael Feinstein to Host Documentary on American Composer Jerome Moross

The WFMT Radio Network and the estate of Jerome Moross today announced that the radio network will produce a two-hour radio documentary, "JEROME MOROSS: The Big Country and Beyond," in honor of the composer's 100th birthday. It will be available for broadcast by classical music radio stations in the United States and internationally beginning August 1st, the composer's actual birthdate. It is part of a yearlong celebration of the composer that includes a live performance of Moross's 1st Symphony by JoAnn Falletta and the Buffalo Philharmonic in April 2014.

Produced by British radio documentarian Jon Tolansky, the program is narrated by Grammy award-winning artist and champion of American music, Michael Feinstein. The program features some of Moross's most memorable music with interviews and commentary from many whose lives and careers were touched by the composer, including the legendary singer and actress Kaye Ballard, conductor JoAnn Falletta, and British singer Claire Martin. Rare recorded conversations from several archives give listeners a chance to hear Jerome Moross talk about his music in his own words.

To hear a 5-minute introduction to the broadcast on YouTube.com, click here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qF_5z0-vjBY&feature=youtu.be

Susanna Moross Tarjan, daughter of Jerome Moross, said, "My family and I are thrilled to see a revival of interest in my father's work on the occasion of his centennial. The WFMT documentary will help music lovers better understand the scope of his music and his place among 20th century American composers."

"We feel privileged to enlighten our listeners about Jerome Moross's contribution to American music," noted Steve Robinson, General Manager of the WFMT Radio Network. "His diverse body of work has influenced composers of succeeding generations. His name should be as well-known as the music he created."

Jerome Moross's career encompasses three spheres, Broadway, Hollywood, and the concert hall. He is best known to some audiences as the composer of the Academy Award-nominated score for William Wyler's epic western, The Big Country (1958). An innovative score that challenged the status quo, it has influenced Western film scores ever since. Yet Moross also influenced the theatrical world with his unique approach to musical theater, including The Golden Apple (1954), with its frequently recorded hit, "Lazy Afternoon," and his interpretation of American urban mythology in Frankie and Johnny (1938), a work that combined American music and vernacular dance. Moross composed many important pieces that crossed genres and inspired a re-consideration of traditional attitudes. His Symphony No. 1 was premiered by Sir Thomas Beecham and the Seattle Symphony in 1943. Moross died in 1983.

The WFMT Radio Network is a premier creator of radio programs that are syndicated to hundreds of radio stations throughout the United States and internationally. With a focus on classical music, jazz, folk, science, and world culture, the Network is the home of series featuring such prestigious ensembles as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Jazz from Lincoln Center; Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center as well as Exploring Music with Bill McGlaughlin.

For further information on the Jerome Moross Centennial http://www.moross.com.

For further information on WFMT http://www.wfmt.com/network

"JEROME MOROSS: The Big Country and Beyond!"

A production of WFMT Radio Network
Host: Michael Feinstein
Executive Producer: Steve Robinson
Program Producer: Jon Tolansky

PROGRAM INTERVIEWEES
Jerome Moross
Susanna Tarjan Moross, daughter of the composer
Josh and Aaron Tarjan, grandsons of the composer
Jack Anderson, dance historian
Kaye Ballard, actress and singer
Jon Burlingame, author
JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Ian Marshall Fisher, creator and Director of the Lost Musicals project:
James Fitzpatrick, producer and annotator
Claire Martin, singer
Larry Moore, orchestrator and arranger
Rodney Newton, composer and film historian
Howard Pollack, author
Mariana Whitmer, writer and executive director of the Society for American Music:

MOROSS COMPOSITION EXCERPTS
Ballet Ballads: Willie the Weeper and The Eccentricities of Davy Crockett
Big Country
Biguine
Flute Concerto
Frankie and Johnny
Golden Apple
Last Judgement
Sonata for Piano Duo and String Quartet
Sorry, Wrong Number
Symphony No 1
Tall Story, for Orchestra
Those Everlasting Blues
War Lord