Check out this video of highlights from the recording sessions for Rick’s new album, River of January. Available on Bandcamp, Amazon, and the Neuma Records website, and on all streaming services May 17, 2024. The amazing musicians include violinists Cornelius Dufallo and Jennifer Choi, cellist Yves Dhar, flutist Erin Lesser, percussionist David Cossin, keyboard player Geoffrey Burleson, and others.
In Dec. 2023, Rick performed “River of January” in Cape Town, South Africa, as part of the centenary World New Music Days festival. Rick’s previous album, Into Light, as well as his soundtracks to What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael and Who Cares About Kelsey, are available wherever music is streamed or sold, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, and others. Rick teaches Scoring to Picture at the Juilliard School, and all forms of composition in the low-residency MFA program at Vermont College of Fine Arts, where he is former Chair. Rick also is the recipient of BMI’s prestigious Classic Contribution Award, in appreciation for creating and leading BMI’s “Composing for the Screen” workshop.
Film & Television
- “What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael” (TCM; Telluride)
-
“What She Said: The Art of Pauline Kael” (TCM; Telluride)
Video excerpt 1: “Montage”
Video excerpt 2: “Dance of Death”
Video excerpt 3: “End”
- “Songa” from “Until The Violence Stops” (Sundance Film Festival)
-
“Songa” from “Until The Violence Stops” (Sundance Film Festival)
Music by Rick Baitz with Agnes Paraivo.
Until the Violence Stops features playwright and activist Eve Ensler in a powerful film that documents how The Vagina Monologues grew into an international grassroots movement called V-Day to stop violence against women and girls. In 2002, eight hundred cities around the world participated in V-Day by staging benefit performances of The Vagina Monologues. Until the Violence Stops shows women from Harlem to Ukiah, California; from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to the Philippines and Kenya, uniting and courageously revealing their intimate and deeply painful experiences with abuse ranging from rape to female circumcision. Director Abby Epstein takes us on a poignant journey into the hearts of women and includes revealing testimonies from men, who expose social and cultural attitudes that perpetuate the pervasive violence against women. In emotionally charged interviews and performances, everyday women and celebrities like Rosie Perez, Salma Hayek, Tantoo Cardinal, Jane Fonda, and LisaGay Hamilton embrace their bodies, reconcile their past, and bond together to break the silence that surrounds abuse.
- “The Vagina Monologues” (HBO) featuring Eve Ensler
-
“The Vagina Monologues” (HBO) featuring Eve Ensler
The Vagina Monologues: Opening
The Vagina Monologues: Finale
Acclaimed writer/performer Eve Ensler is the star of this innovative special that features some of the candid, funny, painful, yearning insights of women talking about their no-longer-so-private part. Based on Ensler’s award-winning stage show of the same name, the special includes all-new interviews and behind-the-scenes commentary added to the original performance material. The end result is a daring and refreshingly liberating experience filled with compassion, humor, intelligence and honesty that will leave you thinking inside the box!
Vocals by Cathy Richardson.
More at IMDB
- Music for The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum (2017) – Narrated by Oprah Winfrey
-
Music for The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum (2017) – Narrated by Oprah Winfrey
Narrated by Oprah Winfrey, this theater program recounts the tragedy of Emmett Till’s brutal murder in 1955. Brought to national attention when the graphic photos of his body were published in Jet magazine, Till’s death is seen by many as the spark that helped ignite the civil rights movement.
In this evocative program, former SNCC leaders and volunteers recount with solemn pride their experiences during the pivotal summer of 1964. Set inside a recreated country church, it recalls the heady days of mass meetings as well as the dangers these young people faced as they set out to change Mississippi – and the nation. Narrated by Oprah Winfrey
- “Fresco” (PBS) – Narrated by Susan Sarandon — Opening
-
“Fresco” (PBS) – Narrated by Susan Sarandon — Opening
This PBS documentary takes a look at the ancient art of fresco. Fresco is the classic art of painting on wet plaster. Narrators Susan Sarandon and Richard Kiley take viewers through its history and its modern-day revival.
This video shows how this very old artistic style of painting is being reborn in the modern art world. The work of artist Mark Balma is also highlighted. Balma and a team of artists created a fresco at the University of St. Thomas. The video provides a first-hand look at the creative process, from ancient to modern times. Beth Deki, All Movie Guide. Narrated by Susan Sarandon.
- “Baby Steps” starring Kathy Bates — Opening
-
“Baby Steps” starring Kathy Bates — Opening
“Baby Steps” stars Kathy Bates as Rose, a homophobic adoption agency director, and chronicles her encounter with Robert, a gay schoolteacher who is looking to adopt a child. Winner Outstanding Narrative Short Film, LA Outfest, and finalist for the Second Annual PlanetOut.com Short Movie Award.
Written, directed and produced by Geoffrey Nauffts.
Music features Todd Reynolds on violin.
(1999, USA) Director: Nauffts, Geoffrey Producer: Burkhart, Jonathan Starring: Kathy Bates ; Geoffrey Nauffts ; Ria Pavia
- “Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy” (PBS 2008) — Opening
-
“Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy” (PBS 2008) — Opening
Body & Soul: Diana & Kathy, directed by Academy Award-nominee Alice Elliott, is a look at an unusual, symbiotic relationship between two people some would call profoundly disabled. Two of the country’s most remarkable advocates for people with disabilities, Diana Braun, who has Down Syndrome, and Kathy Conour, who has cerebral palsy, met three decades ago and vowed to fight to live independent lives. Told in an intimate, verite style, the film is a story of a compelling, creative friendship, as Diana and Kathy model a grand experiment in independent living.
Awards:
- AAIDD Media Award (2007)
- Henry Hampton Award for Excellence in Film & Digital Media
- TASH Positive Images in Media (2007)
- Best of Festival Award (Superfest XXVIII)
- Crystal Heart Award (2007 Heartland Film Festival)
- NAFDMA Insight Award for Excellence (2007)
Nominations:
- IDA Short Documentary Award (2007)
- American Library Association’s Notable Videos for Adults
Film website: dianaandkathy.com
Distributed by New Day Films
- “The Education of Shelby Knox” (Sundance Film Festival, PBS)
-
“The Education of Shelby Knox” (Sundance Film Festival, PBS)
Excerpt 1: “Epilogue”
Excerpt 2: “The Truth About Whisky”
Excerpt 3: “Tolerance”
The swift rise in federally funded, abstinence-only sex education under the Bush administration is in the headlines today, sparking an intense national debate about our responsibility to teach teens the facts of life. Those supporting an abstinence-only approach say that teaching anything but abstinence just encourages teens to experiment with sex. Opponents say that withholding information about condom use and birth control will only lead to unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases.
Into the culture wars steps 15-year-old Shelby Knox of Lubbock, Texas. A self-described “good Southern Baptist girl,” Knox herself has pledged abstinence until marriage. When she finds that Lubbock has some of the highest rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases in the state, and her county’s high schools teach abstinence as the only safe sex, she becomes an unlikely advocate for comprehensive sex education, profoundly changing her political and spiritual views along the way. “I think that God wants you to question,” Shelby says, “to do more than just blindly be a follower, because he can’t use blind followers. He can use people like me who realize there’s more in the world that can be done.” Here is a story for our times, where the combustible mix of politics, family and faith aren’t as predictable as the red state/blue state divide would suggest.
Awards:
- 2005 Sundance Film Festival (Excellence in Cinematography, Documentary Category)
- 2005 SXSW Film Festival (Audience Award)
- 2005 Sonoma Valley Film Festival (Jury Prize)
- 2005 Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (Jury Prize, Best Documentary)
- 2005 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival (Emerging Pictures Audience Award)
- Council on Foundations (2005 Henry Hampton Award for Excellence in Film & Digital Media)
- 2005 Fresno Reel Pride Film Festival (Audience Award, Best Feature)
- 2006 The Index on Censorship’s Freedom of Expression Film Award (Nominee)
Produced by PBS and Incite Pictures
More info at www.imdb.com/title/tt0427206 and wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Education_of_Shelby_Knox
- Sarah Jessica Parker sings “If You Wanna Know How, Call The Cow” from “The Substance of Fire” (Miramax)
-
Sarah Jessica Parker sings “If You Wanna Know How, Call The Cow” from “The Substance of Fire” (Miramax)
“If You Wanna Know How, Call The Cow” from Miramax feature film “The Substance of Fire”, directed by Daniel Sullivan. Sarah Jessica Parker, vocals. Lyrics by screenwriter and co-producer Jon Robin Baitz, based on his Off-Broadway play of the same name. (Speaking vocals by Roger Rees.)
More info at imdb.com/title/tt0117773
- “Jesus Maria” (2009) — Ending
-
“Jesus Maria” (2009) — Ending
More info at imdb.com/title/tt1462533
Dorothy Lawson, cello; Tom Chiu, violins; Rick Baitz, piano
- “Who Cares About Kelsey” (2012) Woodstock Film Festival – excerpts
-
“Who Cares About Kelsey” (2012) Woodstock Film Festival – excerpts
Excerpt 1: “School Trouble”
Excerpt 2: “The Family”
Buy the CD:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rickbaitz
https://itunes.apple.com/WhoCaresAboutKelsey
- “The New Chimpanzees” (Nat Geo) — narrated by Linda Hunt — Finale
-
“The New Chimpanzees” (Nat Geo) — narrated by Linda Hunt — Finale
TV Special narrated by Linda Hunt. Winner, Best Commercial Film, Jackson Hole International Film Festival; Christopher Columbus Award; Genesis Award.
National Geographic draws viewers into the looking glass where eyes, much like our own, reflect playfulness, grief, loneliness, rage and above all, intelligence. Scientists continuing the work of legendary chimpanzee advocate Jane Goodall make startling revelations about chimps in the wild.
More info at imdb.com/title/tt0323394
- “The Irreversible Year” – Waltz
-
“The Irreversible Year” – Waltz
Video: “Waltz”
More info at IMDB.
- “Power & Control: Domestic Violence in America” (2010) – Excerpt
-
“Power & Control: Domestic Violence in America” (2010) – Excerpt
Excerpt: Titles
At a time when domestic violence is surging through the US, the film explores the shocking persistence of violence against women, as refracted through the story of Kim, a Duluth, MN mother of three.
Directed and produced by filmmaker Peter Cohn. More at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1549023/.
- “Life Afterlife” (HBO) — Excerpts
-
“Life Afterlife” (HBO) — Excerpts
Excerpt 1: Opening
Excerpt 2: Ending
A documentary that explores the question: Is there life after death? And if so, can we communicate with the dead? Includes personal stories from everyday people who claim they have made contact with deceased friends and relatives, to self-proclaimed mediums, to philosophers and scientists who have dedicated their lives to these issues.
Directed and produced by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Lisa Jackson. More at jacksonfilms.com.
- “Requiem” from “Polio Water”
-
“Requiem” from “Polio Water”
In the polio epidemic of the 1950s, a parochial school girl finds a miraculous escape from her gothic childhood.
IFC Grand Prize, Princess Grace Award.
Directed by Caroline Kava.
Vocals by Beth Blankenship.
More info at imdb.com/title/tt0320289
Concert Music
- “River of January” (1991) excerpts
-
“River of January” (1991) excerpts
Excerpts from “River of January”, commissioned in 1991 by The Juilliard School and recorded in 2023, released May 2024 on Neuma Records. Featuring Erin Lesser, flutes; Jennifer Choi, violin; Yves Dhar, cello, David Cossin, percussion; Geoffrey Burleson, keyboard; Rick Baitz, Yamaha DX-7 synthesizer programming.
Written for young audiences, “River of January” was awarded the 1993 Delius Composition Award, and was selected to represent the US in the ISCM World New Music Days in Mexico City. In 2023, “River of January” was again chosen to be performed in the centenary World New Music Days, and Rick played the keyboard part in Cape Town, South Africa, along with stellar South African musicians.
- “Music For A Sacred Space” (2021) excerpts
-
“Music For A Sacred Space” (2021) excerpts
Featuring Cornelius Dufallo, violin solo, with Audrey Chen, cello; Will Hopkins & Jakob Schoenfeld, percussion; Yoon Lee, piano; Rick Baitz, electronics. Photo from premiere at The Juilliard School, March 2022. Recorded March-July 2022, released on River of January album, Neuma Records, May 2024.
- “Dark Fire” (1992) – excerpt
-
“Dark Fire” (1992) – excerpt
Excerpt from Dark Fire, featuring Jennifer Choi, violin, and Yves Dhar, cello. Recorded at Oktaven Audio, Ryan Streber, engineer, editer and co-producer, October 2023. Released on Neuma Records’ RIVER OF JANUARY album, May 2024.
- “Two Poems for Flute & Alto Flute Solo” (1980, rev. 1984) – excerpts
-
“Two Poems for Flute & Alto Flute Solo” (1980, rev. 1984) – excerpts
1. Meditation After A Painting By Hokusai: Boy on Mt. Fuji (1980)
2. Flight
Erin Lesser, flutes. Recorded Sept. 2023. Released May 2024 on album “River of January” (Neuma Records)
- “Hall of Mirrors” for Percussion Quartet & Live Electronics (2015) — Excerpt
-
“Hall of Mirrors” for Percussion Quartet & Live Electronics (2015) — Excerpt
“Hall of Mirrors” for Percussion Quartet & Live Electronics (2015)
Excerpt from album INTO LIGHT, released 2018 on Innova Recordings.
Commissioned by The Juilliard School’s Center for Innovation in the Arts.
Performed by Brian Shank, Brian Adler (tabla), Christian Lundqvist and Jeremy Smith, with Rick Baitz on laptop.
- “Chthonic Dances” for string quartet (2011; rev. 2016) — excerpt
-
“Chthonic Dances” for string quartet (2011; rev. 2016) — excerpt
Excerpt from album INTO LIGHT, released 2018 on Innova Recordings. Joyce Hamman & Mary Rowell, violins; Beth Meyers, viola; Ashley Bathgate, cello.
Originally premiered by ETHEL String Quartet at the opening night concert of the Tribeca New Music Festival, Merkin Hall, NYC, 5/23/11. Here’s a review from the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/25/arts/music/tribeca-new-music-festival-at-merkin-hall-review.html
- “Into Light” (1985) – Excerpt
-
“Into Light” (1985) – Excerpt
Trio for clarinet, viola & piano (1984). Excerpt from album INTO LIGHT, released 2018 on Innova Recordings. Recorded 2017 with Ken Thomson, clarinet; Jessica Meyer, viola; Stephen Gosling, piano.
Here’s a review from Textura: ” Of the three pieces, it’s the most meditative: during the opening part, Meyer’s viola gracefully soars across Gosling’s delicate underpinning and Thomson’s near-subliminal tones, the interlacing of their voices exuding a character reminiscent of Messiaen’s Quatuor pour la fin du temps. Six minutes into the twenty-two-minute performance, the music springs to life with lively dance patterns, after which the three sustain momentum with impassioned playing. Their finely attuned interactions impress, regardless of whether the section’s slow or fast, as does the superior level of musicianship.”
- “Shakin’ the Air” (1985) – excerpt
-
“Shakin’ the Air” (1985) – excerpt
Excerpt from “Shakin’ the Air” for double bass, cello & piano (1985).
- “Kaleidocycles” for Synclavier (1985) – Excerpt
-
“Kaleidocycles” for Synclavier (1985) – Excerpt
Commissioned by iEAR Studios, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1985.
CD recording: CDCM Volume II, Centaur Records; Rick Baitz, Synclavier.
Performed at Tanglewood Contemporary Music Festival, 1989; Pure Play Contemporary Music Series (NYC); The Alternative Museum (NYC); Rensselaer Chapel and Cultural Center, Troy, NY.
- “The Riverfisher, Part I” (1989) – Excerpt
-
“The Riverfisher, Part I” (1989) – Excerpt
Antiphonal chamber ensemble, soprano and mezzo soprano, synthesizer. Text by Tory Dent. Performed by The Prism Orchestra, Merkin Concert Hall, NYC, 1991. Rick Baitz, synthesizer; Robert Black, conductor, Christine Schadeberg and Janice Edwards, vocals.
Theatre & More…
- “I’ll Be Seein’ Ya” – Ending and Final Credits
-
“I’ll Be Seein’ Ya” – Ending and Final Credits
“I’ll Be Seein’ Ya” – a play for the digital stage, produced by the Center Theatre Group (2022). Starring Christine Lahti and Justin Kirk; directed by Robert Egan.
- Incidental music to the play “Ten Unknowns”
-
Incidental music to the play “Ten Unknowns”
“Opening” and “Mayan Mother Spirit”:
From off-Broadway play by Jon Robin Baitz, 2003.
- Incidental music to the play “A Fair Country”
-
Incidental music to the play “A Fair Country”
From off-Broadway play by Jon Robin Baitz. 2002. Thule Dumakude, vocals; Cyro Baptista, percussion; Martin Scherzinger, mbiras.