PHILADELPHIA – Ars Nova Workshop, Philadelphia’s leading nonprofit jazz and experimental music presenter, announces two special weekend concert series in Spring 2011. Featuring the work of Fieldwork and Instant Composers Pool Orchestra, the concerts take an in-depth look at the work of two important groups of composers and musicians representing both today’s most pioneering new music and decades of influence in the creative music scene.
Composer Portrait: Fieldworkwill showcase the collective and individual work of emerging composers and musicians Vijay Iyer, Tyshawn Sorey and Steve Lehman in a three-day series from March 11 – 13. The legendary Dutch ensemble Instant Composers Pool Orchestra (ICP), in a rare U.S. appearance, will offer Three Days in Philadelphiafrom April 1 – 3.
Both concert series will take place at Philadelphia’s historic Christ Church Neighborhood House (20 North American Street, Philadelphia) in Old City. Tickets are available now online at www.arsnovaworkshop.com. Admission is $12 for a single event or $30 for a 3-Concert Pass to either series. Additional program information follows below.
“The idea behind our Composer Portrait series is to elevate the composer and showcase the depth of an artist’s work,” says Ars Nova Workshop Director, Mark Christman. “We wanted to present a series highlighting Fieldwork as an important collective, but also showing that each member of the ensemble has a lot to offer individually.”
Christman continues, “We’re also thrilled to be presenting 3 nights of Instant Composers Pool Orchestra. Like the AACM, the ICP are one of the most critical avant-garde music collectives to emerge from the late-1960s. Embracing cosmopolitanism and a courageous musical vision, they shaped the foundation that today’s experimental musicians must build upon. Over forty years later, they continue to be at the forefront of redefining and enhancing those very structures, offering both insight into a rich musical tradition and its vibrant future.”
Composer Portrait: Fieldwork
Friday, March 11 – Sunday, March 13, 2011
This three-night series showcases the collective and individual work of three widely celebrated and critically acclaimed artists: pianist Vijay Iyer, saxophonist Steve Lehman, and drummer Tyshawn Sorey. “A jazz power trio for the new century” (NPR’s Fresh Air), Fieldwork exemplify the new generation of forward-thinking jazz artists who are pushing the boundaries of creative music in unparalleled directions. Fieldwork’s music reflects each member’s ties to the American jazz tradition, modern composition, African and South Asian music, underground hip-hop and electronica, and the influential music of Chicago’s Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians.
Opening night will showcase the work of Tyshawn Sorey, who will lead an ensemble featuring Ben Gerstein, Kris Davis, Okkyung Lee, and Terrence McManus in a performance of his work, “For Kathy Change.” The following night will include a trio performance by Fieldwork’s Vijay Iyer, Tyshawn Sorey and Steve Lehman. In the third and final showcase, Steve Lehman and Vijay Iyer will present pieces written for string quartet. For this very special evening, Lehman’s Nos Revi Nella and Iyer’s Mutations will be performed by the world renowned JACK Quartet (Christopher Otto, violin; Ari Streisfeld, violin; John Pickford Richards, viola; Kevin McFarland, cello).
Schedule:
Tyshawn Sorey’s For Kathy Change
Friday, March 11 at 8:00 p.m. | tickets + program information
Fieldwork
Steve Lehman (saxophones), Vijay Iyer (piano), Tyshawn Sorey (drums)
Saturday, March 12 at 8:00 p.m. | tickets + program information
An evening of chamber works by Steve Lehman and Vijay Iyer
with the JACK Quartet
Sunday, March 13 at 8:00 p.m. | tickets + more program information
Venue:Christ Church Neighborhood House (20 North American Street, Philadelphia)
Tickets:$12 single event general admission / $30 Fieldwork 3-Concert Pass**
Instant Composers Pool Orchestra
Three Days in Philadelphia
Friday, April 1 – Sunday, April 3, 2011
The internationally celebrated tentet Instant Composers Pool Orchestra has engaged audiences with their unique blend of tradition and experimentation for over 40 years. ICP blurs the lines between improvisation and composition with their unique, and oftentimes theatrical, practice of “instant composing,” and juxtaposing historically disparate music styles with wit and brilliance. From ragtime to swing, composed pieces to improvisation, bop to free jazz, classical to carnivalesque, the ICP Orchestra continues to be at the forefront of the creative music scene that they have been so influential in founding, proliferating, and supporting over the last five decades.
A collective of Dutch improvisers and composers, ICP was formed in 1967 by Misha Mengelberg, Han Bennink, and Willem Breuker to further the cause of experimental, category-bending music. The current line-up consists of 10 of the most innovative artists from around the globe, truly exemplifying the cosmopolitan and relentlessly creative drive that has animated the collective since the late-1960s. Featuring Michael Moore, alto saxophone + clarinet; Ab Baars, tenor saxophone + clarinet; Tobias Delius, tenor saxophone + clarinet; Thomas Heberer, trumpet; Woller Wierbos, trombone; Misha Mengelberg, piano; Mary Oliver, violin; Tristan Honsinger, cello; Ernst Glerum, bass; Han Bennink, drums.
Schedule:
Friday, April 1 at 8:00 p.m. | tickets + more program info
Saturday, April 2 at 8:00 p.m. |tickets + more program info
Sunday, April 3 at 8:00 p.m. | tickets + more program info
Venue: Christ Church Neighborhood House (20 North American Street, Philadelphia)
Tickets:$12 single event general admission / $30 ICP 3-Concert Pass**
Composer Portrait: Fieldwork has been supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage through the Philadelphia Music Project with support from Chamber Music America’s Presenting Jazz Program, funded through the generosity of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
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