X-Nico

4 unusual facts about Ned Rorem


A Formal Sigh

The band took its name from a quotation of Ned Rorem: ‘An artist doesn't necessarily have deeper feelings than other people, but he can express these feelings. He is like everyone else-only more so! He speaks with a Formal Sigh.’

C. Rufus

C. Rufus Rorem (Clarence Rufus Rorem), an economist, health care pioneer, father of Ned Rorem

Catullus 101

This poem, as translated by Aubrey Beardsley, was set by the composer Ned Rorem under the title "Catullus: On the Burial of his Brother".

Donald Vining

In length and scope among American gay diaries of the 20th century, Vining's diary is matched perhaps only by those of Ned Rorem, though Vining's canvas is much smaller than that of Rorem.


Fenwick Smith

Smith has a reputation for playing new works and has notably made numerous premiere recordings of works by composers like Copland, Foote, Gaubert, Ginastera, Koechlin, Dahl, Harbison, Cage, Pinkham, Erwin Schulhoff, Schuller, Schoenberg, Ned Rorem, and Reinecke.


see also

Thomas Piercy

His discography includes "Gotham Ensemble Plays Ned Rorem", a CD of chamber music featuring the clarinet (released by Albany Records), "CAFE", a CD of music for clarinet and guitar (released by Tonada Records), the world-premier recording of Sir Richard Rodney Bennett's "Ballad in Memory of Shirley Horn" and the Emmy Award winning CD and DVD "Juno Baby." He can also be heard on commercials, film and theater recordings.