Classical Notes: A couple of composers with memories to share

The Albany Symphony's jam-packed American Music Festival culminates on Saturday evening at EMPAC with a concert highlighting music by two of our country's most preeminent composers, the Pulitzer Prize-winners John Corigliano and David Del Tredici. A joint phone interview with them turned out to be just as fun and revealing as hoped. Corigliano, 81, spoke from his country home in Putnam County and Del Tredici, 82, from his apartment/studio in Greenwich Village.

The conversation began with high spirits and good feelings, plus some teasing. I asked if anyone could remember when or how they first met. No one was quite sure, but they agreed that it was at least 50 years ago and was probably through a mutual friend, composer Phillip Ramey. They proceeded to reminisce about a couple of unusual residencies they shared, one in Fiji for concerts and another in Trinidad where they were judges in a steel drum competition.

Corigliano: You were leaning on a palm tree holding up two coconuts as your breasts. I took a picture.

Del Tredici: There were these huge pigs served for dinner and they disappeared on your plate.

Corigliano: I used to be more adventurous.

Del Tredici: I was always afraid, but I'm glad I did these kinds of things. You started me on collecting African masks. And we both have them in our apartments, don't we?

Corigliano: So many kindnesses from one composer to another. David and I just love being together.

Del Tredici: We have a similar relationship to music – emotional expression.

Corigliano: We compose for the same reasons.

Del Tredici: And we put our life experiences into our music.

The upcoming concert features large scale works by each composer, and both pieces date from 1968. Corigliano's Piano Concerto...