Charles Wuorinen

Charles Peter Wuorinen (born June 9, 1938, American composer of contemporary classical music based in New York City. Original, vintage, pen and ink, "on-the-spot" illustration by George 'Georges' Krishizki. The hand drawn illustration has been signed by Zadikov, and additionally signed, dated and titled by Krishizki: "Georges / 1986 / Charles Wuorinen conducting American Composers Orchestra in Prelude and Fugue in E-flat major by J.S. Back arr. Schsenberg / Carnegie Hall / January 19, 1986."

Awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1970, Wuorinen has in recent years dedicated himself to large-scale works for the stage, including collaborations with Salman Rushdie and Annie Proulx. His catalog of more than 260 compositions includes works for orchestra, opera, and chamber music, as well as solo instrumental and vocal works. Wuorinen's work has been described as adhering to serialism, but in recent years he has come to disparage that term as meaningless.

George 'Georges' Krishizki (March 22, 1924 – December 20, 2001), Russian-Polish-American illustrator who came to the U.S. in 1949. While he earned acclaim for his renderings of the city’s architectural landmarks, it was his on-the-spot drawings of musicians in performance that attracted an especially appreciative audience. In a 1973 article published in conjunction with two simultaneous exhibitions, Georges explained the genesis of his long-running engagement with the concert hall: “I’ve always enjoyed going to concerts, and one day I decided it would be fun to combine my interests in music and art and make sketches of musicians during performances.”  Indeed, the most remarkable feature of Georges’ oeuvre, apart from the astounding range of performers who gladly expressed their approval and appreciation by signing, is the skill with which the drawings are accomplished.

This original pen and ink illustration, measuring approximately 9 x 12, on heavy-weight sketch paper, is in fine condition with some light overall toning. Its verso is blank and clean.