Concert series co-sponsored by Sound Field 05: Chicago New and Experimental Music festival
Monday, September 19, 2005, 8:30 pm
Mike Svoboda (trombone) and Fe-mail (Maja Ratkje & Hild Tafjord) (electronics/noise duo)
This bill is in thirds. First third — Svoboda trombone solo. Second third — Fe-Mail. Third third — Svoboda and Fe-mail improvised duets. Over the years Svoboda has distilled his repertoire into a 70 minute tour de force of solo trombone work featuring his own compositions interspersed among the likes of Scelsi, Cage, and Xenakis. Hailing from Norway, Fe-mail is an electronics/noise duo whose soundscapes are based on improvisation with live sampling. Describing them in CODA magazine Andrew Chocate wrote,”Sputter-funk from twisting electrodes smacked up fast! (gesturesound tweakgesture pow!sound whoawhoawhoa).” This evening is sure to pack a wallop.
Wednesday, October 5, 2005, 8:00 pm
Graeme Jennings (violin)
Although his repertoire is billed as “Bach to Boulez and beyond,” Jennings’ first love is new music. As the second violin of the Arditti String Quartet, his interpretations of contemporary chamber works are definitive. For this solo recital Jennings will perform cr?me de la cr?me solo violin works from the Italian school — Berio, Sciarrino, Donatoni, Scelsi et al.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005, 8:00 pm
Brad Brickner (clarinet)
Brickner, a Hyde Park native, is an outstanding clarinetist with an amazing repertoire of solo works from the Twentieth Century, which this program will survey with works by Vincent Persichetti, Shulamit Ran, Burton Beerman, Elliot Carter, Paul Harvey and Igor Stravinsky.
Saturday, October 15, 2005, 8:00 pm
Mark Dresser (double bass), Lou Mallozzi (turntables, spoken word and assorted devices), Frances-Marie Uitti (cello)
This trio could be named after the ’70s action film classic Three the Hard Way. Any one of them could hold down the fort solo. Together they constitute a triple threat. All have worked extensively as composer-performers in solo and ensemble settings. They have a combined list of credits within the worlds of free jazz, experimental, and contemporary classical not to be believed. Braxton, Cage, Scelsi and Jaap Blonk would be the tip of that iceberg. This to say, these are not timid souls. As an evening of improvised music, there will be sparks, and there will be combustion.
Monday, October 17, 2005, 8:00 pm
Christine Sehnaoui (saxophone), Sharif Sehnaoui (electric guitar), Michael Zerang (percussion), Gene Coleman (bass clarinet)
with Ensemble Noamnesia
Over the past several years the experimental music scene in Lebanon has blossomed to produce some of the most exciting improvisers on the international circuit. Coleman and the Sehnaouis have performed together several times, most recently at Lebanon’s 5th annual Festival of Free and Improvised Music for which the Sehnaouis are a staple. Judging from a recent recording, the sets are taut and subtly textured, and the music is delicate, their moves being generated from a deep listening as much as masterful playing.
Program:
1: Improvisation, Christine Sehnaoui (alto sax), Marina Peterson (cello), Sharif Sehnaoui (guitar), Gene Coleman (bass clarinet)
2: 13 MOMENTS (2005) for ensemble, by Gene Coleman. Lisa Goethe-McGinn (flute), Gene Coleman (bass clarinet), Marina Peterson (cello), Christine Sehnaoui (alto sax), Sharif Sehnaoui (guitar), Rei Hotada (conductor)
3: Improvisation, Christine Sehnaoui (alto sax), Sharif Sehnaoui (guitar), Michael Zerang (percussion)
Thursday, October 27, 2005, 8:00 pm
Stefano Scodanibbio (double bass)
As both a performer and composer, Scodanibbio is a phenomenon. Bussotti, Donatoni, Sciarrino, Globokar, Xenakis and Nono have written works for him, and word on the street is Berio’s mind was blown after hearing Six Studies for solo double bass. In one of his last interviews, John Cage went on record saying “Scodanibbio is amazing, I haven’t heard better double bass playing than Scodannibio’s. He is really extraordinary.” Come join the trail of dropped jaws.
