More on Frederic Rzewskis

Hey guys,
I didn't go to Rzewski's show at Carnegie Hall, but I heard it was GREAT (if it's anything like how Wolf described it, that is!).

"Frederic Rzewski’s show at Carnegie Hall, entitled Making Music, utilized a form of structured chaos that was very goofy sounding but also very pleasing. At times, Rzewski’s unique instrumentation made his compositions constantly stimulating and often humorous, most notably, his use of a basketball to provide booming sporadic percussion. Nonetheless, at other points in the show, the instrumentation stunted his compositions and made them sound very dated, specifically the vibraphone part in the song Attica and the use of people who were “news casting” over the music. At these points, the songs began to a 1980’s science fiction movie or the introduction to a corny 1990’s television show. The combination of the minimal, avant-garde classical aspects of his sound and the campy, dated, science fiction a cappella aspects made it often sound like a collaboration between John Cage and William Shatner..." -excerpt from Wolf's review.

If you guys want to find out more about Rzewkis's work, CLICK HERE.


-Nino

Han Bennink review published!

Hey Music TRaC

Check out Ivana's review of HAN BENNINK, PETER BROTZMANN, PETER EVANS AND TOM BLANCARTE on the Reviews page of the High 5 website.
If your review of the show is done send it to Eric. Ivana, if you'd like to edit anything or submit a revision, feel free!

Ivana's review

Frederic Rzewski at Zankel Hall

On Thursday, May 1 (the same day as class), we are seeing a program at Zankel Hall entitled: Making Music: Frederic Rzewski.

The concert begins at 7:30 pm. Zankel Hall is located at 881 Seventh Avenue at 57th Street. Hopefully you will have enough time to walk across town and get something to eat before the show.

In anticipation, please read the program here.

Candide at City Opera

On Saturday, April 12th, we are seeing the modern opera Candide at City Opera at 8 pm.

Candide was written by Leonard Bernstein.

City Opera is between 62nd and 65th Streets and Amsterdam and Columbus Avenues.
Subway: 1 to 66th Street
nycopera.com

HARDCORE

On Wednesday, April Fools Day, 2008, Music TRaC had "VIP" access into The Knitting Factory; we skipped the 20/30 person line and walked down into the Tap Bar.

Without adding too much of my opinion, I can fairly say that show was an utter failure--very few of us enjoyed being nearly punched and kicked in the face by drunk, fresh 21 year olds. Like the majority of the studded-belt-clad audience, we retreated to the back of the floor every time these wackos decided to "dance." Indeed, some may argue that this moshing is a primitive activity which can only unravel chaos and nosebleeds, but there are others who believe it is a form of total self-expression and freedom.

Anyways, Andrey, our Music TRaC director, asked us to refrain from getting anywhere near the "tornado of bodies" (google.com). Maybe a waiver would have been necessary? Just kidding.

The music, more importantly, was incomprehensible, unmelodious, and lacked overall taste.

But! This was a great experience for some of us who have never been to a hardcore show. We've now witnessed the new concert norm of this generation of rockers.

Before & After:

Our second concert of the semester is this Tuesday, April 1st. Here is the information:

Knitting Factory Tap Bar at 6:30 pm (74 Leonard Street between Broadway and Church Street (212-219-3055) Subway: 1,2 to Franklin Street knittingfactory.com)


An Evening of Hardcore
Blacklisted
Verse
The Carrier
Reclaim The Crown
Probable Cause

Welcome to Music TRaC

Hello Music TRaC!

I am greatly looking forward to our first day of Music TRaC this Thursday, March 20th. We'll meet every week from 4:30 to 6:30 (don't be late!) at the Jacob Blaustein Building at 165 East 56th Street on the corner of 3rd Avenue. **You are required to bring Photo ID.** (Please note: we are not always in the same room. Ask the guard behind the glass what room to be sure.) Take the 4, 5 or 6 train to 59th street and walk south down to 56th on Lexington and make a left. OR take the E, V, or 6 train to 51st street and walk north.

If you get lost, contact Eric at High 5: 212-750-0555 ext.208 or ext. 200 (if there's no answer at 208) Print out this post or write this down!

Also important:

Our first concert of the semester is this Friday, March 21st. Here is the information (we will discuss meeting parameters during the first class):

Brecht Forum at 9 pm (451 West Street (between Bank & Bethune) Subway: A, C, E, L, 1, 2, 3, 9 to 14th Street brechtforum.org)

Joëlle Léandre

World Premiere / Brecht Forum Commission
Joëlle Léandre with Mat Maneri (viola) & J.D. Parran (woodwinds)
Opening Set with Poet Steve Dalachinsky
French double bass player, improviser and composer Joëlle Léandre is one of the dominant figures of the new European music. Trained in orchestral as well as contemporary music, she has played with Itinéraire, 2e2m and Pierre Boulez’s Ensemble intercontemporain. Léandre has also worked with Merce Cunningham and with John Cage, who has composed especially for her — as have Scelsi, Fénelon, Jolas and Clémenti. As well as working in contemporary music, Léandre has played with some of the great names in jazz and improvisation, such as Derek Beley, Anthony Braxton, Georges Lewis, Evan Parker, Irène Schweizer, Steve Lacy, Fred Frith and John Zorn. She has written extensively for dance and theatre, and has staged a number of multidisciplinary performances. Her reputation is international, and her work as a composer and a performer, both in solo recitals and as part of ensembles, has put her under the lights of the most prestigious stages of Europe, the Americas and Asia. Joëlle Léandre also has more than a hundred recordings to her credit. She was Visiting Professor at Mills College in 2002/2004 and 2006 (Darius Milhaud Chair for composition and improvisation).

See you Thursday!

your intrepid instructor,
Andrey