Commissioned By The New York Youth Symphony
"Inspired, well-devised touches throughout...Mr. Rogerson has a gift for transitions, for moving us from moment to moment, section to section, while maintaining the coherence of the work as a whole...and the ending is lovely." - The New York Times
That Blue Repair was commissioned by the New York Youth Symphony, and premiered by cellist Jay Campbell and the New York Youth Symphony with Ryan McAdams conducting on March 11, 2011 in Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall. The title for this work comes from Joan Hutton Landis’ beautiful poem, “That Blue Repair,” which explores the healing process after losing a friend. Specifically, I was inspired by these lines:
The congregation of ecstatic birds —
blue jay, goldfinch, bunting, dove —
was something real and rare, breath-taking as sudden death, its wild despair.
I have no rituals of consolation
just these worked lines, their tearing out, their weaving up, that blue repair—
a labor which may bring in time,
if no return,
amending love; resignation.
(lines printed with the permission of the author)
2022
This work was commissioned by the Kansas City Symphony and premiered by Benjamin Beilman and the Kansas City Symphony with Gemma New conducting on June 4, 2022 in Helzberg Hall.
2022
This work was commissioned by the Bravo! Vail Festival and premiered by Anne-Marie McDermott and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra on June 25, 2022.
2021
Commissioned by the Amarillo Symphony for mezzo soprano J'Nai Bridges
2017
Written for Yo-Yo Ma and the Kansas City Symphony
2016
Commissioned by The Amarillo Symphony
2011
Commissioned By The New York Youth Symphony
