Stream It: WQXR.org
Wordless Music is devoted to the idea that the sound worlds of classical and contemporary instrumental music — in genres such as indie rock and electronica — share more in common than conventional thinking might suggest. To illustrate the continuity between these worlds, the series pairs rock and electronic musicians in an intimate concert setting with more traditionally understood classical music performers. The goal: to bring audiences together, and to introduce listeners from both worlds to composers that they might otherwise not encounter, for a completely new concert experience. In so doing, Wordless Music seeks to demonstrate that the various boundaries and genre distinctions segregating music today — popular and classical; uptown and downtown; high art and low — are artificial constructions in need of dismantling. [WordlessMusic.org]
Unfortunately, the recent Riceboy Sleeps (Jonsi and Alex) concert with the Wordless Music Orchestra flew completely under my radar, fortunately though, the performance is now available for streaming at WQXR.org. Some of the more intriguing events on the 2011 Wordless Music schedule include the U.S. premiere of Jonny Greenwood‘s Doghouse, the NYC premiere of the Philip Glass‘ Symphony No. 4 (“Heroes” based on music of David Bowie and Brian Eno), Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Deerhoof & Friends and the music of Tyondai Braxton (formerly of Battles).
View the full(?) 2011 Wordless Music Series schedule after the jump.
2011 Wordless Music Series
May 20-21, 2011
JONNY GREENWOOD’S “DOGHOUSE” (U.S. PREMIERE)
SIGNAL & THE WORDLESS MUSIC ORCHESTRA
BRAD LUBMAN, CONDUCTOR
Performing Gyorgy Ligeti’s Chamber Concerto, the New York City premiere of Philip Glass / David Bowie / Brian Eno’s Symphony No. 4 (“‘Heroes,'” based on music of Bowie and Eno), and the U.S. premiere of Jonny Greenwood’s Doghouse for large orchestra and string trio, the Radiohead guitarist’s longest orchestral work to date. Doors open at 7pm, show at 8pm. All ages. General admission tickets $25-35 with $5 Ticketmaster service charge (sorry) on sale now for May 20 and May 21 concerts.
Mar. 17-18, 2011
GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR
Doors open at 7pm, show time at 8pm. All ages. $25 general admission tickets SOLD OUT. Co-presented with the Blackened Music Series.
Mar. 15-16, 2011
GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR
Doors open at 8pm, show time at 9pm. All ages. $25 general admission tickets SOLD OUT. Co-presented with the Blackened Music Series.
Mar. 14, 2011
DEERHOOF & FRIENDS
A musical event within Carnegie Hall’s 2011 JapanNYC Festival, presented by Wordless Music
Mar. 10, 2011
WITH THE WORDLESS MUSIC ORCHESTRA
CALEB BURHANS, CONDUCTOR
(A FREE CONCERT!)
The first-ever tour of the Wordless Music Orchestra with composer and multi-instrumentalist Tyondai Braxton, formerly of Battles, performing new works for orchestra and electronics from Braxton’s recent Warp Records solo debut Central Market and music by John Adams, Louis Andriessen, and Caleb Burhans. Co-presented with the Library of Congress. FREE tickets available starting January 26, 2011 from the Library of Congress.
Mar. 7, 2011
TYONDAI BRAXTON
WITH THE WORDLESS MUSIC ORCHESTRA
CALEB BURHANS, CONDUCTOR
The first-ever tour of the Wordless Music Orchestra with composer and multi-instrumentalist Tyondai Braxton, formerly of Battles, performing new works for orchestra and electronics from Braxton’s recent Warp Records solo debut Central Market and music by John Adams, Louis Andriessen, and Caleb Burhans. Co-presented with Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets on sale now via lincolncenter.org.
Mar. 4, 2011
TYONDAI BRAXTON
WITH THE WORDLESS MUSIC ORCHESTRA
CALEB BURHANS, CONDUCTOR
The first-ever tour of the Wordless Music Orchestra with composer and multi-instrumentalist Tyondai Braxton, formerly of Battles, performing new works for orchestra and electronics from Braxton’s recent Warp Records solo debut Central Market and music by John Adams, Louis Andriessen, and Caleb Burhans. Presented by the Walker Arts Center in association with Wordless Music. Tickets on sale now via walkerart.org.
Jan. 30, 2011
JOSHUA RIFKIN, PIANO:
MUSIC OF SCOTT JOPLIN AND J.S. BACH
Performing solo piano music of the kindred spirits Scott Joplin and Johann Sebastian Bach. Presented in honor of the 40th anniversary of the original Nonesuch/Joplin piano rags series. Doors open at 6:30pm, show at 7:30pm.
Jan. 22, 2011
CARL CRAIG /
MORITZ VON OSWALD /
FRANCESCO TRISTANO SCHLIME TRIO
(U.S. DEBUT)
Performing original compositions. Doors open at 7pm, show at 8pm.
Nov. 15, 2010
“RICEBOY SLEEPS” BY JONSI & ALEX (WORLD PREMIERE) FOR ORCHESTRA + VOICES
“CREDO”: NEW MUSIC FOR ORCHESTRA + VOICES BY KJARTAN SVEINSSON
THE HILLIARD ENSEMBLE
LATVIAN NATIONAL CHOIR
THE WORDLESS MUSIC ORCHESTRA
JEFFREY MILARSKY, CONDUCTOR
Presented as part of Lincoln Center’s inaugural White Light Festival.. Composer and keyboardist Kjartan Sveinsson of Sigur Ros joins forces with the Hilliard Ensemble and Latvian National Choir for the world premiere of three of his new works, one of which features text by Canadian poet Anne Carson. The evening will also include world premiere arrangements for orchestra and voice from Riceboy Sleeps, the celebrated ambient creation of Jonsi Birgisson of Sigur Ros and his partner Alex Somers, performing alongside the Wordless Music Orchestra and conductor Jeffrey Milarsky. Co-presented with Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Show begins promptly at 7:30pm. SOLD OUT (sorry!).