Media Release 13 February 2015
US Broadcaster JOHN SCHAEFER to lead series of talks for What?WOW David Lang’s Festival of Music at the National Concert Hall
The highly regarded US broadcaster and author, John Schaefer will lead New Music Voices, a series of public masterclasses and interviews with musicians and composers for New Music Dublin’s What WOW: David Lang Festival of Music 2015 on the 6th and 7th of March at the National Concert Hall.A range of composers, whose works will be performed throughout the festival, will be taking part, including festival curator, composer and Bang-on-a-Can co-founder David Lang. Also taking part will be percussionist Olaf Pyras, composers Julia Wolfe and Irene Buckley and vocalists Anna Maria Friman, Berit Opheim and Linn Andrea Fuglseth of the renowned vocal ensemble Trio Mediaeval, all happening on Friday 6 March.
John Schaefer will also lead a special ‘Bang-on-a-Can Brunch’ with Bang-on-a-Can composers David Lang, Julia Wolfe and Michael Gordon from 1pm-2pm on Saturday 7 March to take place in the National Concert Hall’s Terrace Restaurant.
Irish composers Andrew Hamilton, Sean Clancy, Garrett Sholdice and Linda Buckley will also be talking to John Schaefer in a public interview at 7.15pm on Saturday 7 March before the final performance of the festival which features Brian Eno’s Music for Airports and Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians.
John Schaefer says "These events offer a transatlantic snapshot of how lively and diverse the contemporary music world has become. Some of the credit for that has to go to the Bang-on-a-Can folks, who’ve been… well, banging the drum for contemporary music for more than 25 years. They’re bringing an amazing collection of new music “classics” and brand new works, and it should be great fun to compare and contrast those pieces with the best of Ireland’s contemporary music scene. It’s a coming together of musical cousins and I for one can’t wait to hear the results."
What?WOW David Lang’s Festival of Music, presented by New Music Dublin is a partnership initiative of The Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon, the National Concert Hall, RTÉ Orchestras and the Contemporary Music Centre. It is a unique festival comprising six concerts over two days, all held at the National Concert Hall and is supported by The Irish Times.
JOHN SCHAEFER PUBLIC MASTERCLASS & LECTURES
for WHAT?WOW DAVID LANG FESTIVAL OF MUSIC
Schedule
Friday, 6 March 2015
12:30-2pm Public masterclass with David Lang and three Irish Composers
3.00pm Olaf Pyras, percussionistNine Bells, Tom Johnson
FREE ADMISSION (LIMITED)
4.15-4.45 John Schaefer in conversation with Olaf Pyras and David Lang
(A post show discussion on the 3pm concert as well as preview of the festival)
6.00pm Bang on a Can All-Stars, Trio Mediaeval
Steel Hammer, Julia Wolfe (70’)
Tickets: €15
7:15-7:45 John Schaefer in conversation with Julia Wolfe, Irene Buckley; Anna Maria Friman, Berit Opheim and Linn Andrea Fuglseth of Trio Mediaeval
8.00pm RTÉ Symphony Orchestra with So Percussion
man made, David Lang (So Percussion)
Rewind, Anna Clyne
Storr, Irene Buckley
Intermission
Become Ocean, John Luther Adams
Tickets: €20
10.30pm Dublin Guitar Quartet
Michael Gordon - new work world premiere (60’)
Tickets: €15
Saturday, 7 March 2015
Bang on a Can Marathon
Bang on a Can All-Stars, Crash Ensemble, So Percussion, RTE Contempo Quartet, Chamber Choir Ireland, Andrew Zolinsky
1pm – 2.00pm ‘Bang on a Can Brunch’ with John Schaefer and the with Bang on a Can
composers David Lang, Julia Wolfe and Michael Gordon
2.30-6.30pm Bryce Dessner – Music for Wood & Strings (So Percussion)
Pelle Gudmundsen Holmgreen – Konstateringer (Chamber Choir Ireland)
Garrett Sholdice – Das Blaue Licht (RTÉ ConTempo)
Kate Moore – Ridgeway (Bang on a Can All-Stars)
Donnacha Dennehy – Streetwalker (Bang on a Can All-Stars)
George Crumb - Black Angels (RTÉ ConTempo)
Andrew Hamilton – music for people who like art (Crash Ensemble)
Meredith Monk – St. Petersburg Waltz (Andrew Zolinsky)
Sean Clancy – 14 min of music on the subject of greeting cards ((Crash Ensemble)
Linda Buckley – New Work (Crash Ensemble)
Tickets: €15
7.15 - 745 pm John Schaefer in conversation with Irish composers Andrew Hamilton,
Sean Clancy, Garrett Sholdice and Linda Buckley in advance of the 8pm concert
8.00pm Bang on a Can All-Stars
Brian Eno: Music for Airports (50’)
BoaC All-Stars, So Percussion, Crash Ensemble, Voices of Chamber Choir Ireland)
Steve Reich: Music for 18 Musicians (60’)
Tickets: €20
Bang-on-a-Can Marathon Pass (Saturday 7 March) €25
Weekend Pass €50
All talks will be taking place in the Iveagh Room at The National Concert Hall and are free to attend for those with tickets to the festival performances (including Festival & Marathon pass ticket holders).
The 'Bang-on-a-Can brunch' will take place in the Terrace Restaurant. A special New York Brunch menu will be available.
This series of talks is curated by the Contemporary Music Centre as part of the Festival.
We would like to thank the Embassy of the United States in Dublin, Ireland, Belfast City Council, and the Guesthouse Cork for their support with John Schaeffer's visit.
ENDS For further information please contact Sinead Doyle, Marketing & PR Manager, National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 417 0057 / 087 1775334
