(November 19, 2009, NEW YORK, NY)—Ensemble ACJW launches a four-concert series entitled “ACJW Gets Extreme” at the Greenwich Village nightclub and music venue (Le) Poisson Rouge on Sunday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. with a program entitled ACJW Gets Extreme: The Mix Tape. Separated into “Side A” and “Side B,” the concert is bookended by two ensemble works: Tierkreis (Zodiac) by German arch-modernist Karlheinz Stockhausen, consisting of twelve short pieces each based on one of the astrological signs; and the New York premiere of Bow to String, a frenetic work by the young, Icelandic composer Daníel Bjarnason. In between, members of the Ensemble will perform their own favorite extreme solo instrumental works by such composers as Milton Babbitt, Luciano Berio, and Mario Davidovsky, among others. The “track listing” is as follows:SIDE A
KARLHEINZ STOCKHAUSEN Tierkreis (Zodiac)
MILTON BABBITT Semi-Simple Variations
LUCIANO BERIO Sequenza VII for oboe
JON DEAK B.B. Wolf
SIDE B
HEINRICH BIBER Sonata representativa for Violin and Continuo in A Minor
MARIO DAVIDOVSKY Synchronisms No. 9
DANÍEL BJARNASON Bow to String (NY Premiere)
Also, as special “bonus tracks,” Ensemble members will perform selections pre-concert, post-concert, and during breaks (solo piano works by Arnold Schoenberg and John Cage) to create a more club-like atmosphere.
"’ACJW Gets Extreme’ is a chance for our ensemble members to do something different, to build upon and go beyond what we play at Carnegie Hall and Juilliard, and to bring our passion to music by composers of and influential to our own generation,” said Bradley Balliett, bassoonist of Ensemble ACJW. “We've chosen works for smaller ensembles—especially solos—to make a kind of ACJW 'Mix Tape', with each member contributing a favorite piece.”
As the series progresses, the programs will move from solos to large chamber pieces, showcasing the ensemble’s flexibility as well as the diverse talents of its individual members. ”ACJW Gets Extreme” continues at (Le) Poisson Rouge on February 24 at 7:30 p.m. with a program consisting largely of duo pieces, and on April 26 at 7:30 p.m. and June 13 at 7:30 p.m. with programs of larger ensemble works. Each program will feature at least one work by a composer from the Ensemble’s generation, beginning with Daníel Bjarnason’s Bow to String. Programs for the remaining concerts are to be announced. Members of Ensemble ACJW developed the concept of the series and will select the works for each program, choosing music by composers who are considered “extreme” or finding repertoire that could be considered extreme chamber music.
Ensemble ACJW is the performing arm of The Academy—a program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and The Weill Music Institute in partnership with the New York City Department of Education. During the 2009–2010 season, Ensemble ACJW will perform 23 concerts at an expanded number of venues, including Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall and Weill Recital Hall; The Juilliard School’s Paul Hall; (Le) Poisson Rouge in Greenwich Village; in New York City community venues as part of the free Neighborhood Concert Series presented by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute; Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center; and at Skidmore College’s Filene Recital Hall and Ladd Concert Hall. The ensemble comes together in different sizes, having the opportunity to play intimate chamber music as well as larger conducted chamber orchestra works. In spring 2010, programs at Carnegie Hall will be conducted by renowned composers Thomas Adès (March 24) and John Adams (May 10).
The Academy
The Academy—a program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and The Weill Music Institute in partnership with the New York City Department of Education—is a two-year leadership program designed to develop the skills and values necessary for careers that combine musical excellence with education, community engagement, and advocacy. The program serves young professional musicians with opportunities to perform in concert halls, to teach in public schools, to engage in local communities and college campuses, and to support this work through professional development. The program reflects the belief that the artist of tomorrow will require both the ability to perform at the highest level and the capacity to give back to the community, inspiring the next generation of musicians and music lovers. A partnership with Skidmore College that began in the 2007–08 season also brings performances and educational events to the Saratoga Springs community.
The Academy was launched in January 2007, initiated by Carnegie Hall’s Executive and Artistic Director Clive Gillinson in partnership with Joseph W. Polisi, President of The Juilliard School. The fellows in the program were selected because of their extraordinary level of musicianship, deep commitment to education and community engagement, and leadership qualities. Fellows are graduates of leading music schools, including The Curtis Institute of Music, Eastman School of Music, The Juilliard School, Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, Mannes College The New School for Music, New England Conservatory, and Yale School of Music. Please visit acjw.org for more information about the program.
Program Information
Sunday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m.
(Le) Poisson Rouge
158 Bleecker Street (between Thompson & Sullivan)
ENSEMBLE ACJW
Featuring musicians of The Academy—a program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and The Weill Music Institute in partnership with the New York City Department of Education
ACJW GETS EXTREME: THE MIX TAPE
SIDE A
KARLHEINZ STOCKHAUSEN Tierkreis (Zodiac)
MILTON BABBITT Semi-Simple Variations
LUCIANO BERIO Sequenza VII for oboe
JON DEAK B.B. Wolf
SIDE B
HEINRICH BIBER Sonata representativa for Violin and Continuo in A Minor
MARIO DAVIDOVSKY Synchronisms No. 9
DANÍEL BJARNASON Bow to String (NY Premiere)
Tickets: $15
For more information, visit lprnyc.com.
The Academy—a program of Carnegie Hall, The Juilliard School, and The Weill Music Institute in partnership with the New York City Department of Education—is made possible by a leadership gift from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Major funding has also been provided by Mercedes and Sid Bass, The Irving Harris Foundation, The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, The Kovner Foundation, Martha and Bob Lipp, Mr. and Mrs. Lester S. Morse Jr., Judith and Burton Resnick, Susan and Elihu Rose, and The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation, with additional support from Mr. and Mrs. Nicola Bulgari, Jean and Louis Dreyfus Foundation, Susan and Ed Forst, Mrs. Nancy A. Marks, The William Petschek Family, Suki Sandler, and the Ella Fitzgerald Charitable Foundation.
The Academy School Partnerships benefitting NYC public school students are made possible, in part, by Bank of America.
The Academy and Ensemble ACJW are made possible, in part, by public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, The Recovery Act, and the New York State Council on the Arts.
Bank of America is the Proud Season Sponsor of Carnegie Hall.