9-11 and 16-18 | Dramashop production of My Uncle
based on Anton Chekov’s Uncle Vanya, adapted and directed by Anna Kohler, Senior Lecturer in Theater Arts, from a translation by Paul Schmidt. 8pm, Pritchett Hall, Walker Memorial building. For tickets and info: theaterarts.mit.edu, (617) 253-2877. Co-sponsored by Music and Theater Arts and Dramashop. Dramashop.mit.edu.
13 | Mon | 13 | Frederick Harris Seeking the Infinite Book Release
The release of Dr. Frederick Harris’ new book, Seeking the Infinite: The Musical Life of Stanisław Skrowaczewski. The author will read excerpts from the book, show films of Skrowaczewski and play selections from his compositions. Dr. Harris is music director of the MIT Wind Ensemble and Festival Jazz Ensemble. Listen to a Minnesota Public Radio interview, see the book’s web site, or read a review. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Refreshments will be served. Noon, Lewis Music Library, 14E-109, More Information: 617-253-5636.
13 | Mon | Vicky Chow, Bang on a Can All-Star, Plays Sonatas and Interludes for prepared piano to Celebrate John Cage’s Centennial. These pieces are a landmark in the history of classical music and piano repertoire. Written in 1946-48, this hour long set of pieces is one of the examples of Cage’s life long fascination with the exploration of sound. The concert is at 8pm in Killian Hall, MIT, 160 Memorial Drive. Free and open to the public.
About Vicky Chow
Canadian pianist Vicky Chow has performed extensively as a classical and contemporary soloist, chamber musician, and ensemble member. She has been described as “brilliant” (New York Times), “a monster pianist” (Time Out New York) “virtuosic” (New Jersey Star Ledger), “sparkling” with a “feisty technique” (MIT Tech) and “one of the new stars of new music” (Los Angeles Times). She has performed with Wordless Music Orchestra, Opera Cabal, Wet Ink Ensemble, ai ensemble and AXIOM. She has worked with leading composers and musicians John Adams, Louis Andriessen, Bryce Dessner, Philip Glass, Glenn Kotche, David Longstreth, Steve Reich, Terry Riley, and Lee Ranaldo. Visit: www.vickychow.com.
17 | Fri | The Boston Composers’ Coalition and the Redline Brass Quintet present a collaborative recital. Composers: Justin Casinghino (MIT Affiliated Artist); Abigaña (MIT Affiliated Artist); Jeremy Van Buskirk; Andrew Smith; PoChun Wang; Ramon Castillo and The Redline Brass Quintet: Kyle Spraker, trumpet; Joe Klause, trumpet; Steven Winter, horn; Christopher Moore, trombone; Phil Hyman, bass trombone. 8pm, Killian Hall. Free. Visit: www.bostoncomposers.org and www.redlinebrassquintet.info.
18 | Sat | Edward Cohen 10th Anniversary Memorial Concert | Radius Ensemble, Jennifer Montbach, Artistic Director. Sarah Brady, flute; Eran Egozy and Rane Moore, clarinet; Charles Dimmick and Heidi Braun-Hill, violin; Noriko Herndon, viola; Miriam Bolkosky, cello; Sarah Bob, piano; and Aaron Trant, percussion. The program will feature Edward Cohen’s Clarinet Quintet, the Capriccio for solo piano, and the Suite for solo flute. In addition the program will include a new work by MIT alumnus Andrew McPherson ‘04 specially commissioned for this concert. The piece, After the Rain for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and percussion, references Ed Cohen’s beautiful Acid Rain, both in its title and its percussion instrumentation. The concert will also feature a piece by Cohen’s widow, composer Marjorie Merryman, entitled Echo for piano trio. 8pm, Killian Hall. Free and open to the public. Visit Radius at radiusensemble.org and MIT Music and Theater Arts at web.mit.edu/mta.
21 | Tue | MTA Composer Forum:
Erin Gee
Composer Erin Gee presents a lecture demonstration about her upcoming piece for the Radio Symphony Orchestra Vienna and her work for voice in the Mouthpiece Series. 5pm, MIT Lewis Music Library, 14E-109. A reception will follow. Free and open to the public. Funded in part by the Council for the Arts at MIT. Visit: www.erin-gee.com.
25 | Sat | John Harbison Hosts Token Creek Mozart Marathon Concert at MIT. The event will feature a discussion of Mozart completions by Robert Levin and performances of the Divertimento in Bb major for Horns and Strings, K. 287; the Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano, K. 442; and the Concerto in D Major, K. 537. The performers will be Richard Menaul and Alyssa Daly, horn; Rose Mary Harbison and Heidi Braun-Hill, violins; John Harbison, viola; Liz Foulser, bass; Rhonda Rider, cello; and Robert Levin, piano. 8pm, Kresge Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.
Photo by Asherman
About Robert Levin
Robert Levin has been heard throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, and Asia, in recital, as soloist, and in chamber concerts. Levin is renowned for his restoration of the Classical period practice of improvised embellishments and cadenzas; his Mozart and Beethoven performances have been hailed for their active mastery of the Classical musical language. A noted theorist and Mozart scholar and author, he is a member of the Akademie für Mozartforschung. His completions of Mozart fragments are published by Bärenreiter, Breitkopf & Härtel, Carus, Peters, and Wiener Urtext Edition, and have been recorded and performed throughout the world. More about Levin at www.artra.com.
About Token Creek
The annual Token Creek Chamber Music Festival, established in 1989, takes place at the sylvan summer retreat of John and Rose Mary Harbison, the Festival’s artistic directors. This distinguished series, “one of the most important annual classical musical events in Madison” (The Capital Times), has become known for its unique and imaginative programming, an impressive roster of artists, the welcoming beauty of the unique performance space, and a passionate commitment to artistry of the highest integrity. http://www.tokencreekfestival.org.
29 | Wed | A talk by John Harbison, Toward, and Away from Bach’s Matthew Passion. 5pm, Killian Hall. Free and open to the MIT Community. Co-sponsored by Music and Theater Arts and the Handel and Haydn Society.
About Composer John Harbison
Citing his most important influences as the Bach Cantatas, Stravinsky (whom he met in Santa Fe in 1963) and jazz, Prof. Harbison’s music is distinguished by its exceptional invention and deeply expressive range. He has written for every conceivable type of concert genre, ranging from the grand opera to the most intimate; pieces that embrace jazz along with the classical forms. His works are published by G. Schirmer. For a more extensive biography, visit: www.schirmer.com.
