WHAT'S NEW 2024-25

ANNOUNCING:

The complete performing script of MUSE of FIRE will published next year by DelGatto Press. The edition will feature copious annotations, critiques and appreciations from professionals, and will feature an extensive consideration of the play written by the great American pianist, conductor and pedagogue, Lorin Hollander. Details soon.


2025 ANNIVESARY:

2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the death of Charles Bruck at the Monteux School in Hancock, Maine and the 20th anniversary of the premiere of MUSE of FIRE. During the year, Maestro Katz is pleased to offer dramatic readings of the play in conjunction with its publication, scheduled for spring 2025. Please contact him now to arrange a visit for your audience. Dates available through fall 2025.

 

PERFORMANCE HISTORY:

PRIVATE PERFORMANCE: MUSE of FIRE at the Conductors Retreat at Medomak, Washington, ME. Performance at the request of Maestro Kenneth Kiesler. (This is David's third appearance in MUSE of FIRE at the unique conducting school near Camden.)

COMMAND PERFORMANCE: MUSE of FIRE for the University of Michigan School of Music, Britton Recital Hall.

MUSE of FIRE returns to MICHIGAN, performance sponsored by HILLSDALE COLLEGE, Hillsdale, MI.

OHIO DEBUT of MUSE of FIRE, performance sponsored by Malone University, Canton, Ohio.

WISCONSIN DEBUT of MUSE of FIRE, performance sponsored by the Oconomowoc Chamber Orchestra, Oconomowoc, WI.

MUSE of FIRE returns to KENTUCKY: performance sponsored by the Centre College Music Department, Danville, KY.

MUSE of FIRE returns to MICHIGAN: performance sponsored by Adrian College in cooperation with the Adrian Symphony Orchestra, Adrian, MI.

NEW JERSEY DEBUT of MUSE of FIRE, performance sponsored by the Garden State Philharmonic

MORE RECENT PERFORMANCES


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"...While there is only one actor onstage, this is actually a two-man play, so thoroughly does Katz bring his late mentor to life..."—Bar Harbor Times

 

 

REVIEWS from the EXPERTS:

 

“...worthy of any audience...”

 

       “David Katz’s one man play is an engrossing original dramatic work worthy of any audience. Mr. Katz has been known as an intellect and gifted musician and is now revealed as both a fine playwright and actor as well.”

          —Gordon Peters, Chief Percussionist (retired), Chicago Symphony Orchestra

 

“...entertaining, insightful, informative...and 
deeply moving...”

 

        “As a former conducting student of Pierre Monteux at his school in Hancock, Maine, I was somewhat prepared when I attended MUSE of FIRE, but I was not expecting to witness such an entertaining, insightful, informative, and at times, deeply moving depiction...It is very well written, acted and directed.”

          —Michael Charry, former head of conducting, Mannes School of Music, New York City

 

“...impressive theatrical ability...”

 

        “Mr. Katz has written a dramatically gripping account of his studies with the conductor Charles Bruck at the Pierre Monteux School in Hancock, Maine. Maestro Bruck was known as an extremely severe taskmaster, and Mr. Katz, who has impressive theatrical ability, represents this character with remarkable vividness... Whatever one’s knowledge of classical music, or lack of same, I can heartily recommend MUSE of FIRE as an absorbing and moving theatrical experience.”

          —John Canarina, Director of Orchestral Studies, Drake University, author, ‘Pierre Monteux’

 

“...great humor and great compassion..."

 

        “...a fine and compelling evening of theater...the play is a heartwarming, funny and touching tribute. Skillfully directed, the performance moves quickly and deftly through passages of great humor and great compassion. And Mr. Katz definitely has the “chops” for this show...moving through character voices, emotional peaks, punch lines and passions with great expertise.”

          —Kenneth Stack, Artistic Director, Acadia Repertory Theater, Bar Harbor, ME

 

"...an absolutely engrossing theatre-piece..."

 

     "Who knew that David Katz—a well-respected orchestra conductor—had so many arrows to his bow? That he could pen an absolutely engrossing theatre-piece? That he could deliver single-handed so mesmerizing a performance as a solo actor? That he was a personal friend of the great actor/director Charles Nelson Reilly, whose last production before his death would be "Muse of Fire"? Take my word for it: if you see "Muse of Fire" once, you'll want to see it again…and again!

     I've tried to come up with something that describes the tremendous impact, the hypnotic effect, this play has on me. I'm disappointed that it doesn't capture the amazement I feel about the play, but every word is genuine and heartfelt."

—David Daniels, distinguished conductor, editor and creator of "Daniels' Orchestral Music"

 

"...heart-stopping performance..."

 

     "Please allow me to THANK YOU for your heart-stopping performance in "Muse of Fire" that I was honored to witness during the most recent CODA conference. [March 2015] So many fond memories of my own mentors, those fire-spitting Eastern-European dragons who, in reality, love you like their own children…I cried and cried."

—Nayda Potemkina, orchestra director, faculty, Wesleyan University

 

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