Two Short Concerts, One Long Review
This past Friday and Saturday gave Ann Arbor new music seekers two compact and powerful concerts: the final concert of the year for the University of Michigan Contemporary Directions Ensemble…
Sampling sound worlds
Since I’ve been at the University of Michigan, I’ve frequently pondered the nature of the “American” sound in contemporary music. I recognize the present state of American contemporary music a…
Orchestral Premieres from Michigan
Despite driving snow and slippery roads, an eager crowd gathered Sunday evening to hear Michigan’s University Philharmonia Orchestra deliver eight world premiere performances of works by student composers. The concert…
CDE and the Machine Which Makes Art
Monday night, the galleries of the Univeristy of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) were filled with the music of Stephen Harkte, John Harbison and Julia Wolfe thanks to the University…
Out on the Town with Vijay Iyer, Rudresh Mahanthappa and Bunky Green
One of the great perks of living in Ann Arbor, Michigan is the University Musical Society (UMS), a community group that, for 132 years, has brought diverse programs of dance,…
Music Now Festival 2011 at EMU
For those of you in the Southeastern part of Michigan and looking for something to do tomorrow through Friday, Eastern Michigan University is holding their 17th biennial Music Now Festival…
Live From Ann Arbor: Chapter 3
The first student composers’ concert of the new year at the University of Michigan took place last Monday, January 31st. Although brief, this evening of premieres and experiments was just…
Standing Room Only for ‘Crescendos”
2011 got off to a slow start in terms of new music in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Don’t get me wrong; there have been plenty of great individual and chamber recitals…
Three Premieres
Hidden within the typical drive-to-cadence activities that closed the 2010 Fall semester here at the University of Michigan were three special performances showcasing the creativity and boldness of student composers…
CDE Grooves
Its not often I leave a new music concert and my ears are ringing, but Friday night’s performance of the University of Michigan Contemporary Directions Ensemble (CDE) pumped up the…