We are pleased as Punchinello to learn that we know, and have collaborated with, a Grammy nominee.* Deborah Henson Conant has just been nominated, together with conductor David Lockington, for her album Invention & Alchemy. The category is Best Classical Crossover Album.
Deborah’s credentials are unique. A jazz-harpist and composer, she (a) has performed in several Ig Nobel Prize ceremonies (one highlight: she arranged and performed the music for “The Interpretive Dance of the Electrons” at the 2004 Ig Nobel ceremony); is founder and director of the Museum of Burnt Food; and — most to the point here — composed the five-part orchestral work “Stress Analysis of a Strapless Evening Gown.”
Based on the classic engineering essay by Charles Seim (which in some incarnations is called “Stress Analysis of an Evening Dress”), the musical work was performed in jazz clubs, and then in 2001, made its orchestral debut. The grandest performance was by Deborah Henson-Conant and the Grand Rapids Symphony — parts of that are included in the “Invention & Alchemy” album. You can hear and see a small portion of it, on Deborah’s web site.
We had a tiny, tiny hand in this. Years ago, we lent Deborah a copy of the book (a collection of essays) “Stress Analysis of a Strapless Evening Gown.” Deborah, an unusually active reader, thereupon conceived and composed the musical work.
* We also know at least one past nominee. Miles Smith, who, together with Barefoot Frank Cunningham, is the recording engineer every year at the Ig Nobel Prize Ceremony. Miles has worked on at least three Grammy-nominated albums.