new music
Contemporary Concerts January - May 2012
Stephen Montague is the Kettle’s Yard/Faculty of Music New Music Associate 2010-12. Below are eight thrilling concerts programmed by Stephen, each of which he will introduce with his usual illuminating insight.
Sunday coffee concerts Tuba Bears Picnic: YouTuba & recorded narrators Ian McMillan, Simon Callow 29 January, 12noon • £7 (£4) • “Four tubas meet in the woods and bond. They are the only tubas left in the world, then temptation arrives in the form of an evil dancer”. The text is by BBC Radio 3 presenter and poet, Ian McMillan.
Hard and Smooth: Darragh Morgan, violin & Mary Dullea, piano 12 February, 12noon • £7 (£4) • Dance to the deep south with Michael Finnissy’s Mississippi Hornpipe alongside a Toccata by Conlon Nancarrow. The ‘Hard’ manifests in Gordon McPherson’s Maps & Diagrams of our Pain.
Flam by Orlando Gough: singers/actors Rebecca Askew & Melanie Pappenheim The Michael Harrison Concert 26 February, 12noon • £7 (£4) • This irresistible work is a funny and moving portrait of human interaction… over a simple cup of coffee. A superbly crafted slice of theatrical observation.
Jessica Zhw, piano 11 March, 12noon • £7 (£4) • “With a glittering technique and a dedication that is inspired by a growing passion for the visual arts, this brilliant young pianist has been adding to her portfolio of prizes and acclaim in the UK” (Global News Box). The awardwinning Chinese American pianist presents her programme of ‘Powerful Women’ which includes the UK premiere of Hye Kyung Lee’s Gasp.
Ensemble Bash, 4 percussionists 6 May, 12noon • £7 (£4) • Three world premieres (the Efthymiou twins + G. Prokofiev) are sandwiched between John Cage’s 100th anniversary party piece and Montague’s 4 percussionists at dinner – Chew Chow Chatterbox. A noisy fête from the exquisite Bash “who make playing percussion the coolest, noisiest and funniest occupation on earth” (The Times).
Book online at www.kettlesyard.co.uk/newmusic
John Paul Jones: a Composer Portrait with Cambridge New Music Ensemble and interview with Stephen Montague 20 May, 12noon • £7 (£4) • With record sales of 300 million as the bass guitarist & keyboard player with Led Zeppelin, John Paul Jones is also a passionate collector of contemporary art and now writing his first opera. This dynamic composer/performer is at Kettle’s Yard for a one-off concert and informal interview with composer Stephen Montague.
EVEning concerts Cambridge New Music Ensemble 29 February, 8pm • £7 (£4) • Following intensive coaching from Cambridge University resident ensemble the Endellion String Quartet, passionate students tackle modern string quartets including Thomas Adès’s stunning ‘Arcadiana’.
The G Project: Gabriella Swallow, cello & Genevieve Wilkins, percussion 8 March, 8pm • £10 (£6) • This formidable duo specialize in exciting new work for this unusual combination. Both are renowned for breaking boundaries of classical stereotypes and together form an A-team who command attention.
The Smith Quartet: amplified string quartet/electronics 24 April, 8pm • £10 (£6) • The Smith Quartet “…are ahead of the curve at generating new repertoire and taking the experimental back-catalogue seriously…” (Classic FM Magazine). The Nancarrow centennial celebration is muted by George Crumb’s dark but unmissable Black Angels.
New Music Mornings on sundays by local new music groups Alison Blunt, violin, Ian Mitchell, David Ryan, clarinets, Joe Zeitlin, cello 19 February, 12noon • free • Experimental music-making, from the totally improvised to graphic notation. Christian Wolff’s open score of 1964, For 1, 2 or 3 People and a homage to Liszt, with members of the London Improvisers Orchestra and the Wu Quartet.
Hidden Channels 4 March, 12noon • free • In 2002 Kettle’s Yard first invited new music and sound creators based in the city but working outside organisations or formal channels to present a New Music Morning. This concert celebrates 10 years of experimentation, DIY invention and diverse performances at these events.
Degrees of synchrony: Tom Hall, Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Richard Hoadley, choreographer Jane Turner & guest artists 13 May, 12noon • free • Investigating boundaries of synchronisation through original dance, audio-visual inventions, music and performance.
Kettle’s Yard is the University of Cambridge's modern and contemporary art gallery, open to all. It is a beautiful and unique house that contains a distinctive collection of modern art and an internationally renowned gallery showing a changing programme of exhibitions. During 2012-13 Kettle’s Yard is building a new Education Wing. During this period part of the gallery will be open with a series of ‘Artists in Focus’ displays, alongside the shop where you can buy postcards, books and gifts. Opening hours and access to Kettle’s Yard may be disrupted at times during the building work. For the latest information please phone us 01223 748100 or see our website.
SUNDAY COFFEE CONCERTS Sunday Coffee Concerts begin at 12 noon with a short introduction. Coffee is served from 11.30am in the gallery. Concerts are about an hour long. Children are welcome, juice available for younger audience members.
EVENING CONCERTS Evening concerts will have an interval, with a bar available.
NEW MUSIC MORNINGS These free events begin at 12 noon and are presented by local composers, students and staff from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), and students from the University of Cambridge. No need to book, just turn up. Donations welcome.
GET THE Music E-Newsletter PURCHASING TICKETS online www.kettlesyard.co.uk/newmusic by phone 01223 748100 or in person from Kettle’s Yard … on the door
Support Kettle’s Yard • please donate www.kettlesyard.co.uk/support for more information The Kettle’s Yard New Music Programme is supported by the Faculty of Music, University of Cambridge, The PRS Foundation, The RVW Trust, The Holst Foundation, Dr Shirley Ellis. The Michael Harrison Concert is supported by the Friends of Kettle’s Yard.
Kettle’s Yard, Castle Street, Cambridge CB3 0AQ 01223 748100 • www.kettlesyard.co.uk/newmusic
cover image: Ensemble Bash
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