Behind the Music
Michael C. Viens (b. July 3, 1953) composer and pianist, has performed extensively in the US and in Europe. His twelve études‐tableaux York, Maine: fin des siècles, was premiered in Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York, before being recorded and released by MMC Recordings (MMC2019) with pianist Nicholas Underhill as soloist.
Concerts devoted entirely to his music have been presented in Brooklyn, New York, and at the University of Southern Maine. His music has been featured at the Museum of Fine Arts in Portland, Maine, at the Olin Arts Center, Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, and at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. In June 1994, his song cycles Sundown Voyager, StarBlaze, and ColorScope received their New York premieres at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall with tenor Bruce Fithian and pianist Joseph Kubera. In November 1994, a vocal CD of Mr. Viens’ tenor cycles, as well as his mezzo‐soprano cycle Voices in the Still, was recorded by Mr. Fithian and Ms. Isabelle Ganz with the composer. This music was released on the MMC recording Sundown Voyager (MMC2040) in July,1996. His orchestral work Les Insectes Dansants was performed by the Seattle Symphony under the direction of Gerard Schwarz in 1997.
The music of Mr. Viens has been presented on French National Radio, Maine Public Radio, Continental Cablevision, and Maine Public Television. He was associated with the Le Centre d’Art Chorégraphique in Peris, France, where several of his piano works were choreographed and performed. He studied composition with Nadia Boulanger in Paris and at the Conservatoire Américain in Fontainebleau. He has also worked with William Thomas McKinley, Olivier Messiaen, and Iannis Xenakis. His piano teachers include Thierry de Brunhoff, Frank Glazer, and William Eves.
Most recently in December of 2021 during the pandemic a debut of Michaels work titled Hummingbirds was played by the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra . New York Celebration featured other prominent New York composers such as Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, and Philip Glass. To see New York Celebration please click link.
Mr. Viens has resided in Cape Nedrick, Maine, and now lives in Southern California where his work Sapphic Odes was premiered. He now devotes himself primarily to creative collaborations and preserving his legacy.
To get an inside look into the musical life artist and composer Michael Viens check out his interviews on YouTube. Michael is also available for oral presentations of his Life and Music
to interested parties and to those who may wish to collaborate in these endeavors. Please contact Michael If you are interested.