Interview with Judith Lang Zaimont

St. Paul, Minn. — Judith Zaimont is a composer who enjoys taking risks. With a "if you write it they will commission" attitude, she began work on a piano concerto before receiving a single inquiry. After the piece was completed a consortium of eight institutions did indeed "commissioned" the work. Zaimont is in residence at the U of M School of Music this week for performances of several of her works including the regional premiere of her concerto for Piano and Wind Orchestra "Solar Traveler." With excerpts from the piece performed by pianist Timothy Hoft and the Peabody Wind Ensemble conducted by Harlan Pasher, Zaimont spoke about the piece and the process of composing it with Steve Staruch. The Minnesota performance takes place Thursday, February 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ted Mann Concert Hall at the U of M.