From the 8BC to Carnegie Hall: The improbable journey of composer Rain Worthington by Photographer/Journalist Bob Krasner.
Composer’s Studio Podcast: Rain Worthington – Tapping into the pre-verbal Language
The Communicative Mystery of Instrumental Music by Rain Worthington – Sonograma Magazine
Universality of Emotion: Ona Jarmalavičiūtė talks to American composer Rain Worthington – Classical Music Daily
Photo: Karjaka Studios
Holding to the belief that creativity is a natural birthright and an elemental part of human nature, composer Rain Worthington has followed her own instinctive path. Self-taught and cross-disciplinary, her creative impulses traverse concert music and sculptural installations in search of new spaces for attentive reflection. The American Record Guide notes this focus on a “deep interiority” from “a composer of considerable imagination, emotional expressiveness, and poetic sensibility”. According to critic Jack Sullivan, “Worthington has an instantly recognizable sound, an austere sensuality not quite like anyone else.”
In her decades-long journey, Rain’s works have been performed in New York City at downtown basement clubs, to the uptown stage at Carnegie Hall, and globally with orchestral premieres taking place in Brazil, Italy and Armenia. Additional performances of her chamber works have spanned the globe including Iceland, Korea, and India.
First inspired by the energy of the NYC downtown music scene, Rain began composing solo piano pieces, before learning music notation. She performed her works from memory in fellow artists’ lofts in Soho and at The Kitchen. Moving on, Rain led two bands that played at CBGB’s, the Pyramid, Roulette, and PS 122, before turning her attention to orchestral composition.
Recent commissions include Balancing on the Edge of Shadows for violinist Audrey Wright, Turning Tides for the Portland Youth Philharmonic, and a new chamber work for Palisades Virtuosi. Other career highlights include performances of her orchestral works at Carnegie Hall, Denison University’s TUTTI Festival, and Missouri State University (in which she also served as guest composer-in-residence). Since 2010, Navona Records has released Worthington’s music, including two full portrait albums Passages Through Time and Dream Vapors.
Moving beyond traditional concert venues, Rain is also now exploring a secondary artistic vision of “listening spaces” in which her sculptural installations are infused with music. Through the combination of aural and visual elements, energetically charged relationships become emotionally resonant. With a passion for collaborative educational projects and creative acts which place people of all ages at the center of creative expression, Rain brings a fresh perspective and a dedication to provide meaningful artistic experiences.
Rain is also an advocate and mentor for other composers, serving on the Advocacy Committee member of the IAWM Board and served as Artistic Administrator and Composer Advocate for the New York Women Composers 2006-2021. She currently resides in upstate NY with husband, author Mark Berger, amidst the cycles of nature and the many animal populations who cohabit the shared land.
(Rain requested that all proceeds from purchases of the Dream Vapors album to be donated through PARMA Recordings to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (a research 501(c)(3) public charity).
Listen to more of Rain’s story on the
Cadenza two-part webcast with David Osenberg, producer and host, WWFM-The Classical Network
Cadenza- Rain Worthington, composer Part 1
Cadenza- Rain Worthington, composer Part 2
