California’s E.A.R. Unit wants you to open up your ears to new ways of making music. Founded back in 1971, the two-woman, one-man group has devoted itself to performing the oft-maligned music of modern-day classical composers.
In the concert hall, that might seem a tough row to hoe. Over the past 100 years, contemporary classical music has developed an increasingly bad reputation among audiences.
Starting, ironically, at the very point in history when orchestral, operatic, and chamber music had reached its zenith of public popularity – at a time when the daily doings of the local symphony was considered relevant news for the masses by newspapers; and when the names of notable conductors, singers, and composers had become household names in much of the Western world – composers such as Arnold Schoenberg, Igor Stravinsky, Anton Webern and others began to experiment in new forms of music that at times induced passionate public outcry and even, in some instances, riots.
Yet the types of music in question here – those works that break with traditional notions about rhythm, melody, harmony, and texture – are hardly unfamiliar to modern ears. [Read More...]
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One paints a battle of men that dragged on for thirty years; another depicts a battle within the body of a man. One reflects the troubled times in a country caught between Axis and Allies; another paints a nocturnal portrait of a military watch retiring from duty.
And all are a battle to bow for the String Orchestra of the Rockies, which presents a diverse and difficult program of battle-themed music at a concert this Sunday, Feb. 13. [Read More...]
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On Thursday afternoon in the University of Montana Music Recital Hall, San Francisco violinist Ian Swensen raised his instrument to his neck, caught the eyes of cellist Tonya Tomkins and pianist Eric Zivian, lifted his upper body with a subtle jerk; and suddenly, a tempest erupted. For several minutes, a musical torrent pelted three dozen UM students and faculty as they listened to the visiting trio run through the first movement of Johannes Brahms’ famous Third Piano Trio – a piece that Swensen described moments later as “a growling, clear storm.”
The rapt audience erupted in loud clapping at the end. And then, the musicians onstage began to tear their performance apart. [Read More...]
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(This guest post was written by Tonja King, co-director of Montana Lyric Opera’s Summer Youth Opera Camp, which concludes this weekend with two performances of “Pandora’s Box,” a youth opera based on music by Offenbach. Tickets to the production, which takes place at UM’s Music Recital Hall, are available at www.mtopera.org or at the door.)
The performing arts have the power to inspire wonderfully creative—and potentially lucrative—learning opportunities for students. Montana Lyric Opera’s annual Summer Youth Opera Camp has provided important life skills and exciting educational experiences for three local young singers beginning their paths to successful careers.
Missoula native Emily Peragine definitely knew from an early age she wanted to be a performer. A talented dancer and actress, Emily discovered her love of classical music during high school when she began entering vocal competitions. Her experience singing in MLO’s youth productions of Amahl and the Night Visitors and The Emperor’s New Clothes helped hone her focus on pursuing a career in the challenging genre of operatic music. [Read More...]
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In recent Decembers, the Montana-based String Orchestra of the Rockies has made a tradition of presenting concerts that dance around the music of the season without embracing it full-on. This year, as part of the orchestra’s 25 anniversary season, one thing’s for sure about the SOR’s December concert: You’ve never heard holiday music like this.
That’s because you’ve never heard a voice like Jason Abrams’. Don’t believe me? Just listen to this:
[Audio clip: view full post to listen]
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California’s E.A.R. Unit wants you to open up your ears to new ways of making music. Founded back in 1971, the two-woman, one-man group has devoted itself to performing the oft-maligned music of modern-day classical composers.
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