Paola Prestini - Female composer and co-founder of National Sawdust
Paola Prestini - Female composer and co-founder of National Sawdust
My pianist Mila Henry has worked with Paola Prestini previously and recommended her to me. I was also familiar with the Brooklyn-based organization she co-founded called National Sawdust which showcases new musical works. National Sawdust had been recommended to me by colleagues, including the videographer for Voices of Women’s fundraising efforts, John Ciampa.
“Still” was commissioned for my debut album “Voices of Women”, thanks to our generous supporters during the final stages of the campaign, and is a duet for two sopranos and piano. I was so delighted that my sister Rebecca Obert agreed to sing the other soprano part, and we had a lot of fun working closely with Paola Prestini, Mila Henry and our recording team at Affetto to bring this work to life. The libretto was written by Mark Campbell, a leader in the contemporary opera scene.
Who is Paola Prestini?
Paola Prestini was named one of the Top 35 Female Composers in Classical Music by the Washington Post and one of the top 100 Composers in the World by NPR. Paola Prestini currently serves as the Artistic Director of National Sawdust, an artistic venue in Brooklyn and her collaborators include poets, filmmakers, conservationists, and astrophysicists. Paola Prestini studied with Peter Maxwell Davies, Samuel Adler and Robert Beaser at the Juilliard School. This fall National Sawdust performs at the Kennedy Center as part of the dedication of the Center’s new REACH initiative.
Q&A: Get to know Paola Prestini
Q: What vocal compositions has Paola Prestini composed?
A: Paola Prestini has several works for voice and a full list of her compositions can be found at PaolaPrestini.com/about/cv-and-list-of-works/.
Q: Who are Paola Prestini’s contemporaries?
A: As a living Classical composer, she has many contemporaries including Libby Larsen (also featured on the Voices of Women album) and Caroline Shaw.
Q: Is there a connection between Paola Prestini and politics?
A: As a living classical composer, Paola Prestini has taken an interest in science and environmental connections to her music, including the composition of an eco-cantata called The Amazon. These issues are of great importance in our current political time and her work serves to bring awareness and further understanding of these issues to audiences.
Q: How does Paola Prestini relate to women’s equality?
A: As an innovator in classical music, Paola Prestini is a good example of a composer who is using her music to propel other artists’ careers, and has a demonstrated interest in music composed by women through National Sawdust’s recent programming seasons.
Q: How does Paola Prestini relate to other women’s issues?
A: Paola Prestini is an excellent example of a woman who is an “impresario” for classical music in the 21st century. Her education, awards, and many collaborators speak highly of an artist who has been successful through both traditional and entrepreneurial outlets for her music.
Q: Is there a link between Paola Prestini and women’s entrepreneurship?
A: As Co-Founder of a highly successful and renowned musical venue in Brooklyn, Paola Prestini is blazing a trail for women who are taking ownership of their own musical work and aspirations. Paola Prestini’s accomplishments as a female composer also demonstrate an ability to work within the marketplace to create change.
Paola Prestini’s thoughts on being a “Female Composer”
Paola Prestini resources & recommended recordings
Learn more about this fascinating female composer at PaolaPrestini.com and NationalSawdust.org.