Mason Bates the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts May 2
Virginia's own Mason Bates is the current composer-in-residence at the Kennedy Centre and now playing the second season of his collaborative KC Jukebox series. The series presents out-of-the-box compositions in a different setting than the traditional Concert Hall would provide. The layout for the performances is quite different, in a flexible space at the Kennedy Center Atrium with lounge seating, high tops and bar tables; information technology feels like you are in the heart of a cool gild directly out of a Woody Allen motion picture.
Last night, the latest installment of the series was titled Ravishment, after the Second Quartet past John Adams, conducted past Fawzi Haimor. It included other pieces by living composers, starting with a haunting The Nighttime Mare by Christopher Cerrone. The composer appeared on screen via a pre-recorded video in black and white, explaining that magical realist Jorge Luis Borges was one of the sources of inspiration for this dream-like limerick. Cerrone is interested in the phenomenon that occurs every bit we sleep and the disjointed imagery that is random is treated similar a narrative in our minds. To that end, his piece was one of the most experimental of the night, including not only classical instruments but as well a DJ in the mix.
The adjacent couple of pieces were past Lisa Bielawa, a composer and vocalist who takes inspiration from literary sources and everyday life. In this case, the first piece, Ravishment, was loosely inspired past the poet Percey Shelley and his infatuation with an unknown woman, which Bielawa humorously called a little "stalkerish." The 2nd piece, Drama/Self Pity was inspired by Bielawa's own eavesdropping in public transportation settings and the tendency she observed of people going the extra mile in their dramatic assessments of their own lives or circumstances in public spaces. This was definitely a fun and entertaining take, one that brings back perspective on the perceived versus actual difficulties in daily lives.
The side by side slice in the program was a short but wonderfully beautiful piece by Los Angeles-based composer David Hertzberg titled Ellébore, composed for a sextet. Hertzberg also came to us in black and white video format to explicate his inspiration for the piece, which was a blooming flower in the winter. Indeed, this was a delicate piece that was definitely edgy but kept a rest through strings that reminded me of melting snow and the slow moving h2o accumulating in a field getting ready for spring.
Finally, Bates came out to shut the program with a slice past John Adams. "String Quartet is ane of those pieces that reminds me of Bach" Bates explained to the audience. It was a strong performance and 1 that reminds usa why American minimalist composer Adams is one of the most influential contemporary composers. A varied and dynamic piece that deserves repeated listening. To hear it alive was certainly a treat, and although the prepare-up included amplified sound through microphones instead of the beautiful acoustics of the Concert Hall, at that place was definitely great care into ensuring that sound shined, and it did.
The hundreds of people in the audience showed some love back to the phase, getting up in a continuing ovation. Before long afterward, DJ Moose started spinning some tunes, but the bulk of the audience left shortly after the main performance was over. Some of the artists, forth with Mason Bates came out and mingled in a setting that was intimate and engaging and would make not-traditional fans of classical music comfortable. I certainly appreciated the manner gimmicky composers are put front and center, breathing new life to a field that continues to evolve.
Running Fourth dimension: Approximately one hr, with no intermission.
Stonemason Bates'south KC Jukebox: Ravishment had a one-nighttime only operation on Monday, January 30, 2017, at The Kennedy Center Concert Hall – 2700 F Street, NW, in Washington, DC. For tickets or more information call the box office at (202) 467-4600, or visit their agenda of events .
Mason Bates'due south KC Jukebox series will return on May 2, 2017 with a performance by Grammy Accolade-winning male vocal ensemble Chanticleer . For tickets for Mason Bates'due south KC Jukebox: Chanticleer , phone call the box office at (202) 467-4600 or go online .
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Source: https://dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2017/01/31/review-mason-batess-kc-jukebox-ravishment-kennedy-center1/
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