Rorem

For its October program, Banks has planned a deep dive into the world of American composer Ned Rorem, a prolific songwriter and, in his notorious series of published diaries, sharp-tongued observer of cultural life who died last fall at age 99.

Banks particularly admires Rorem for his “intuitive lyricism” and desire to write music “that he wanted to hear” and has programmed all of his secular pieces for unaccompanied chorus.

By then a number of works had been written specifically with him in mind, including Ned Rorem’s Concerto for English Horn and Orchestra, which had its world premiere at Avery Fisher Hall in Manhattan in 1994.

Many composers have heard that music too, and have written settings for his work — Greek artists like Mikis Theodorakis, but also foreign musicians including Ned Rorem and John Tavener.

The monthly magazine had a small but devoted audience and lasted some two decades, with contributions from writers and artists including White, Ned Rorem and George Stambolian.