Michael Pugliese Papers 1978-1996, 1978-1996
Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Pugliese, Michael
- Abstract:
- The Michael Pugliese Papers consist of copies of his curriculum vitae, a small selection of programs of concerts in which he performed, reviews and clippings, and correspondence.
- Extent:
- 1 box (10 folders)
- Language:
- Collection material in English.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Michael Pugliese Papers is a relatively small collection of personal documents, programs, reviews, and correspondence. The correspondence files include a telegram from John Cage as well as instructions from Cage on a macrobiotic diet. The six versions of Pugliese's curriculum vitae provide a fairly good representation of his career as of 1991, date of the most recent version.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Michael Gabriel Pugliese was born Sept. 26, 1956 in Buffalo, N.Y. He studied percussion with Jan Williams at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, completing his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1979. He then continued his studies at the Manhattan School of Music, completing a Master of Music degree in 1981. Once in New York City, Michael quickly established himself as a percussionist specializing in avant-garde music. He co-directed a 12-hour marathon of music by John Cage at Cooper Union in New York in 1982. His association with the music of John Cage continued, leading to his first performances of Cage's Etdues Boreales, Ryoanji, Voiceless Essay, Five Stone Wind, Sculpture Musicales, and Four3. This association with Cage also lead to work with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company as performer and composer. Pugliese toured extensively with the dance company beginning in 1985. He composed Peace Talks (1989) and Mixed Signals (1991) for the company. Other percussion works composed by Michael Pugliese include his Jinxed, June 22, Not Jinxed, Not Waves, and Peaceful Pond at Dusk. He also composed popular songs under the name of Mike Gabriel.
Pugliese made his solo debut at Merkin Hall in New York City in 1989 (the performance is available on a Mode compact disc under the title Perkin' at Merkin'). He appeared as a percussionist with the New Music Consort, the Bowery Ensemble, and the Michael Gordon Philharmonic. He also performed at several new music festivals, including the North American New Music Festival (Buffalo, N.Y.), the American Festival in 1985 (London), New Music America (Houston 1986 and Miami 1988), and the Los Angeles Festival in 1987. He was the founding member of the experimental percussion trio, Talking Drums. Pugliese also performed in the pit orchestras for musicals, including Miss Saigon, Nunsense, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Les Miserables. Michael Pugliese died Nov. 3, 1997 in New York City.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift of the Michael Pugliese Estate, 2004.
- Arrangement:
-
Arranged into four series:
- I. Personal documents
- II. Programs and clippings
- III. Correspondence
- IV. Framed title pages of John Cage scores
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding aid prepared using DACS ( Describing Archives: A Content Standard ).
Access and use
- Location of this collection:
- Contact:
- 716-645-2924