Dead Elvis for Solo Bassoon and Chamber Ensemble (1993) by American composer Michael Daugherty

Michael Daugherty

Michael Kevin Daugherty is an American composer, pianist, and teacher. Influenced by popular culture, Romanticism, and Postmodernism, Daugherty is one of the most colorful and widely performed American concert music composers of his generation...

, is a 10 minute, single movement work inspired by the King of Rock-n-Roll, Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley

Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....

. Dead Elvis was commissioned by bassoonist Charles (Chuck) Ullery and The Grand Tetons Festival, and Richard Pittman/Boston Musica Viva

Boston Musica Viva

Boston Musica Viva is a Boston, Massachusetts-based music ensemble founded by its Music Director, Richard Pittman, in 1969 and dedicated to contemporary music.-Composers and compositions:...

. The Chamber Ensemble instrumentation calls for solo bassoon, Eb clarinet, trumpet, bass trombone, violin, contrabass, and percussion. The premiere was performed by The Grand Tetons Chamber Players, Michael Daugherty conducting and Charles Ullery as soloist, in July, 1993.

Discography

1. American Icons - Michael Daugherty: Dead Elvis/Flamingo/Jackie's Song/Le Tombeau de Liberace/Motown Metal/Snap!/What's That Spell?

London Sinfonietta, David Zinman, Conductor; London Sinfonietta, Markus Stenz, Paul Crossley, piano; Dogs of Desire, David Alan Miller; London Sinfonietta, Michael Daugherty, Christopher van Kampen, cello

London/Decca Argo 458-145-2

2. Absolute Mix - Michael Daugherty: Dead Elvis/Sing Sing: J. Edgar Hoover

Absolute Ensemble

Kristjan Jarvi

External links

• University of Michigan: Dead Elvis

For other music relating to Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley

Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....

, see also Dead Elvis

Dead Elvis

Dead Elvis was the first album by British band Death in Vegas. It was released on March 10, 1997 in the United Kingdom and on September 16, 1997 in the United States. This was the only Death in Vegas album to feature original member Steve Hellier. The British release features colored Elvis graffiti...

, The King & Eye

The King & Eye

The King & Eye is an album by the American avant-garde band The Residents, released in 1989. It consists of a series of Elvis Presley songs strung together with a narration exploring what motivated him throughout his career. Most of the album showed up in the Cube-E tour...

 and Jason Morphew's song, "Elvis Was a Mama's Boy" from his 2001 album, Not for the Faint of Heart!.