Don’t forget that tonight’s the last night of the PNME 2010 season featuring the premiere of Ned McGowan’s Radiance, music by David Lang, Radiohead, and more.
And if you haven’t already heard, there’s an Alia Music recital on Sunday, August 1 featuring flutist Kerrith Livengood, cellist Simon Cummings, and pianist Matthew Gillespie. Sorry I didn’t get around to posting this on the calendar, but consider yourself fully informed.
Composer Ned McGowan sat down with Pittsburgh New Music Net to talk about his new commission for the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble.
PNME premieres McGowan’s new commission on Friday, July 30 & Saturday, July 31 at City Theatre (1300 Bingham, the South Side). Both concerts start at 8PM. Complete details are at www.pnme.org.
| August 7, 2010 | ||
| 8:00 pm |
Most Wanted Fine Art
$6 at the door.
| July 25, 2010 | ||
| 7:00 pm |
Modern Formations Gallery
4919 Penn Ave.
Pittsburgh
$5 at the door (cash only)
Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra presents “B-Sides”, an evening of chamber music and improvised music, featuring solos and small ensembles comprising members of the Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra including special guests, The Outer Circle. The evening features composed music by Philip Glass, Paul Arma, and Elliott Sharp, as well as improvised music by members of the ensembles.
Join us to see what members of ELCO are up to and enjoy complimentary light fare. Libations available to those age 21+
L-R: Kevin Noe, Lindsey J. Goodman, Nathalie Shaw, Norbert Lewandowski, Conor Hanick
On July 14 I had the very enjoyable opportunity to talk with several outstanding musicians of the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble. We covered a lot of ground, including their vision for the venerable Pittsburgh ensemble, the challenges of the summer schedule, harsh financial realities the organization faces, the nature of multimedia performance, and the occasional bits of fun they are able to squeeze in during their few available breaks. It probably comes as no surprise that these artists, so obviously thoughtful and energetic when it comes to their performance, are just as thoughtful and energetic when it comes to discussing their art.
I’ve split the video up into two segments to appease the YouTube gods. A small caveat that during the first few minutes of Part I there were some unwanted bleeps and bloops from the second camera as we were adjusting settings, so apologies. It goes away pretty quickly and the content was too good for me to cut it out. I’d attribute the problems to blogging on a shoestring budget, but that would imply the existence of a budget, so, ya know… In any case, I’m sure you will enjoy hearing what your PNME musicians have to say about the amazing music they bring to our city.
PNME’s summer season continues through the end of July, so check it out. And remember that “first limers” get in free!
Part I: Musical Challenges, A Typical Day, Hopes for the Future
Part II: Financial Challenges, Multimedia, Having Fun
On Friday, July 16, 2010, On Fillmore will bring their unique style of music to the Warhol Museum. I’m not exactly sure what to call it: extremely slow jazz, soundtrack music, haunting music. Since I’m hardly a writer, I won’t need to worry about inventing a term for what they do. But it would be wise for you to check it out.
The duo of percussionist Glenn Kotche (Wilco, Loose Fur) and bassist Darin Gray (Grand Ulena, Jim O’Rourke) have concocted an incredible sound world on their latest record, Extended Vacation, which is full of creeping vibraphone and bass lines, homemade percussion, and man-made bird calls. While on the record marching bands and dirty percussion blast against the somber vibe/bass lines, the duo will strip it down to pitched and unpitched percussion and upright bass. Pieces from all three of their records will be performed.
On Fillmore @ The Warhol Museum
July 16, 2010 8pm-10pm
Tickets $12, call 412.237.8300 for more information
I had the pleasure to interview Darin Gray and the audio artifact is below.
On the compositional process, juxtaposed rhythms, and the live set up
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On guest Dede Sampaio and his bird calls
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On homemade instruments and implements
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On soundtracks and recent musical interests
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Watch the video for “Master Moon” from the lp Extended Vacation: “Master Moon” by On Fillmore on Vimeo.
For more information: www.onfillmore.com
For more information on the show at The Warhol: http://www.warhol.org/calendar/events_detail.php?eventID=1934&dateYear=2010&dateMonth=7&dateDate=16
… is here. Check it.
If you’ve been a composer or performer of new music in the last forty years, John Duffy has had a positive impact on your career whether you know it or not. He continues to be a prolific composer of music for theater, the concert hall, and the operatic stage. He founded Meet the Composer and served as that organization’s president for many years. At the tender age of 84, he leads the John Duffy Composers Institute, a two-week program held under the auspices of the Virginia Arts Festival that is devoted to nurturing composers and performers of contemporary opera.
I had the distinct privilege of being a Composer Fellow at the 2010 John Duffy Composers Institute and could easily (and may still) devote an entire post to the value of that experience, but far and away, one of the best parts was working with John himself. If you ask John why he started the Institute his answer is simple: “I love music, and I love theatre.” This love for his art permeates everything he does as a composer and stalwart advocate for other composers.
Near the end of our two weeks in Virginia, I sat down with John and let the camcorder roll as we talked about his many efforts in the service of American music, his vision for propagating new American opera, and his ongoing creative activity. I’ve divided our conversation into three segments and posted the video after the jump. (more…)
Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble kicks off its summer season tonight with music by Joan Tower, Ted Hearne, Aaron Kernis, David Lang, and Thomas Albert. It’s the start of a great month of new music here in the Burgh. And don’t forget to check out the excellent season previews in the Post-Gazette and Tribune Review. Andy Druckenbrod focuses mostly on programming content, while Mark Kanny highlights the financial difficulties PNME (like all small arts organizations) is facing. They’re both worthwhile reads to be sure.
| July 16, 2010 | ||
| 8:00 pm |
The Andy Warhol Museum’s Sound Series Presents On Fillmore
with special guest, Rachel Grimes
The Andy Warhol Museum (7:30 PM Doors)
Tickets $12 – call 412.237.8300 or visit www.ticketweb.com
Glenn Kotche (drummer for Wilco) and Darin Gray, formed On Fillmore in the Summer of 2000, after performing together with Jim O’Rourke at the Melt Down Festival in London. As a dynamic bass and percussion duo they create atmospheric, original music that incorporates field recordings. They visit the intimate Warhol Theater on a tour supporting their 4th full-length album, Extended Vacation, which covers new territory for the experimental pair. Rachel Grimes, of indie chamber group Rachels, will open with a pastoral solo piano set.