American composer Tobias Picker is 70 today.

His serene “Old and Lost Rivers” has long been a favorite. Commissioned by the Houston Symphony Orchestra to commemorate the sesquicentenary of Texas, the work was given its first performance in 1986. At the time, Picker was the orchestra’s composer-in-residence. His program note about the piece elucidates the title:

“Driving east from Houston along Interstate 10, you will come to a high bridge which crosses many winding bayous. These bayous were left behind by the great wanderings, over time, of the Trinity River across the land. When it rains, the bayous fill with water and begin to flow. At other times — when it is dry — they evaporate and turn green in the sun. The two main bayous are called ‘Old River’ and ‘Lost River.’ Where they converge, a sign on the side of the highway reads: ‘Old and Lost Rivers.’”

The work also exists in a version for solo piano. Enjoy the orchestral version at the link:

Picker also wrote a piano concerto for the centenary of the Brooklyn Bridge. Here’s the world premiere, from 1983, preceded by news footage, including commentary by the composer, and intercut with celebratory fireworks for the occasion. The audio on the news clip is somewhat muted, compared to the much more immediate performance of the music, so be ready for it!

Then, tying in with yesterday’s post about the sudden seeming ubiquity of Robert Schumann, it seems only appropriate to include Picker’s “Romances and Interludes.” Schumann composed his “Three Romances,” Op. 94, for oboe and piano, as a Christmas gift for his wife, Clara, in 1849. Picker orchestrated the piece and added his own prelude and connective tissue in 1989.

He’s also composed seven operas. “Emmeline” was broadcast nationally on PBS in 1996.

Among his other works in the genre are adaptations of Roald Dahl’s “The Fantastic Mr. Fox,” Stephen King’s “Dolores Claiborne,” and Oliver Sacks’ “Awakenings.”

Finally, Picker converses with filmmaker H. Paul Moon as part of the series “Capricorn Conversations,” an occasional podcast of interviews with important figures relating to American music that grew out of Moon’s work on his nationally-televised documentary, “Samuel Barber: Absolute Beauty.”

Happy birthday, Tobias Picker!