William Bastianon (BM ’27) is an undergraduate composition major from Ontario, Canada, studying under Dean of Academic Core and Head of Composition Reiko Fueting. He is especially interested in theatrical works that emphasize the live aspects of performance. He says he “was previously a student of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.”
At the moment, his favorite book is Froth on the Daydream (L’Écume des jours) by the French poet, novelist, and musician Boris Vian [b. 1920, d. 1959], a contemporary of Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Albert Camus. William’s favorite movie is the 2001 French-language romantic comedy Amélie, his favorite song is Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis by Tom Waits, and his favorite composition is De Profundis by American composer and pianist Frederic Rzewski, known for his anti-establishment views.
William would like to give a shout-out to his two cats back home in Canada: “Kander, Ebb, if you’re reading this, I love you and miss you!”
William: I miss my pet moose more than I can say, and when I close my eyes at night, I still see the dim blue glow of my igloo.
NYC is a wonderful city. I sometimes even forget how I long for the taste of maple syrup because there’s so many things to do and see. The transition has been very smooth, and the MSM neighborhood is quiet, vibrant, and great for taking walks.
My favorite part about living in NYC is that you don’t have to wait for traffic lights – you can just walk wherever you want whenever you want. I am a chronic jaywalker. Also, there’s always an affordable concert to go to somewhere, with incredible, incredible music.
Freshman year has been wonderful. The School has welcomed me with open arms, and I have never been busier. A nice highlight was visiting the Met Cloisters up in Fort George; thank you for the recommendation, Dr. Stambaugh. It feels like entering another world, and the art is just incredible. Those unicorn tapestries are to die for. It almost makes me wish I was a Medieval monk! Anyone who can, you must run to visit it.
“The incredibly open and gifted faculty have encouraged, helped, and continue to push me to expand my horizons and write the kind of music I strive to create. The campus is stellar, the facilities are top-notch, and the musicians who are performing with you are hard-working and beyond talented. Plus, I’m in NYC! It’s a great city.” William Bastianon (BM '27)
“The incredibly open and gifted faculty have encouraged, helped, and continue to push me to expand my horizons and write the kind of music I strive to create. The campus is stellar, the facilities are top-notch, and the musicians who are performing with you are hard-working and beyond talented. Plus, I’m in NYC! It’s a great city.”
William Bastianon (BM '27)
This composer’s concert was a large and exciting undertaking. Alongside the music, this concert also featured dance, theatre, and a visual artist exhibiting work around the space. I proposed the idea of including a lion tamer, but it wasn’t in the budget. Fingers crossed for next year! The composition department concerts are always remarkably diverse musically – nothing is off the table – and never cease to amaze me. Interdisciplinary work such as the work featured in this upcoming concert is encouraged and always creates a really exciting, living, buzzing feeling in the room.
I also had a piece in this concert. I worked with some incredibly talented musical theatre performers and a percussionist. We sprinkled in some bike horns (thanks for the idea, Ligeti), EDM grooves, and romantic jazz standards. I don’t want to give too much away, but let’s just say the world was changed forever. Step aside, Bach!
William Bastianon (BM '27) in the recent composers' concert
How much will you pay me if I say something nice? Just kidding.
Seriously, I chose the school because the conservatory-style system allows me to devote so much of my time and energy into what I really love in a place surrounded by people working towards similar goals. The incredibly open and gifted faculty have encouraged, helped, and continue to push me to expand my horizons and write the kind of music I strive to create. The campus is stellar, the facilities are top-notch, and the musicians who are performing with you are hard-working and beyond talented. Plus, I’m in NYC! It’s a great city.
The most difficult question of all.
I’ve been diggin’ Jacques Brel’s recording of Madeleine from his Bergen concert on May 30, 1964 – just listen to that band take off in the last chorus.
I’m always playing something from the Barenaked Ladies’ album Snacktime – a big inspiration since my childhood. Pollywog In A Bog and Bad Day are favs.
Woodpecker no.1 – Remastered by Merzbow has been stuck in my head – I find myself humming it on the way to class!
Please reach out for any music recommendations – or to recommend some to me. I always need more.
Good luck to all incoming MSM students; I wish you the best in your freshman year!
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