REVIEW: Beethoven Influences 'John Adams: Absolute Jest & Grand Pianola Music' >>
Diving in as close to an artist's mind as possible is an obsession for most art-lovers. For musicians, our heroes of composition are especially aloof because of the language they use: a language that exists to say what words could never say. This makes it extremely difficult to get inside their head... yet we always feel like we know them. Composer John Adams seems to feel this way towards Beethoven, as he told Classical NPR's 'Deceptive Cadence'. When examining the influence of Beethoven in John Adams's latest album, 'Absolute Jest & Grand Pianola Music', the first of its two pieces (his eponymous concerto) could almost be likened to a matryoshka doll, or "nesting" doll.
WATCH: Steve Reich's 'Piano Phase' Performed on Two Game Boys >>
Steve Reich is no doubt the supreme minimalist of the current times. And in his unique fashion, Piano Phase, one of Reich's many experiments in phasing has been appropriated on two Game Boys by chiptune artist Pselodux.
Bang on a Can All-Stars Release 'Field Recordings,' Perform at Jewish Museum >>
Classicalite favorites the Bang on a Can All-Stars have released their latest 13-track disc on Cantaloupe Music. One better, the record release coincides with tonight's show at the Jewish Museum.
Meredith Monk Performs 'On Behalf of Nature' at BAM, Sings for Audiences at Home in Minute Long Video >>
For Meredith Monk, her unique blend of singer/dancer meditations for the stage, 'On Behalf of Nature,' is just another phase in her slow-evolution as an artist -- the portrait of which can be found in her long career but also in her most recent endeavors.
Kronos Quartet Named Big Ears' 2015 'Artists-in-Residence,' Weekend Passes on Sale November 14 >>
Always garnering significant excitement and attention, the Big Ears Festival is gearing up for its March 27–29 run in 2015. Next year, they will premiere the heralded Kronos Quartet as their 2015 Artists-in-Residence.
Reich and Glass Set Aside Differences on 'Four Organs' at BAM with Muhly, Andres, Cossin for Nonesuch at 50 >>
Steve Reich’s “Four Organs” was performed Tuesday at the Brooklyn Academy of Music with Philip Glass, Nico Muhly, David Cossin, Timo Andres and Steve Reich. The performance was the first of three by Reich and Glass as part of the 50th anniversary of the Nonesuch record label.
The Column: On Performing Steve Reich's 'My Name Is' at Classical:NEXT...and Not Getting It >>
So tell me, where am I missing something? Because I fear that I don't "get" Steve Reich. At least, not all the time. And that's bad news, because I just made my debut as a performer in one of his best-known pieces.
Minimal Awkwardness: Philip Glass Versus Steve Reich at Brooklyn Academy of Music's Next Wave Festival 2014 >>
The glass will be shattered regarding who's the better minimalist--Steve Reich vs. Phil Glass--in Brooklyn, New York during a three-day performance at BAM's upcoming Next Wave Festival 2014. Alcohol will be served, too.
Music for Pieces of Wood: Bartholomäus Traubeck's 'Years' Plays Rings Around Your Priceless Vinyl Collection >>
If you're an artist like Bartholomäus Traubeck, slamming tree trunks onto your weighted Rega turntable isn't a foreign concept. No, it's just another installation. But is it a true ecology of sound?
Minimalist Composer Steve Reich Wins BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award (and $550,000) >>
The people's minimalist, Steve Reich has won the 2013 BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award for contemporary composition. The news came from Reich's publisher, Boosey & Hawkes, on Tuesday.
Arcade Fire Violinist Sarah Neufeld Plays from 'Hero Brother' Debut at The Kitchen on February 14 >>
A Classicalite approved venue, indeed, The Kitchen will play host to yet another unique musician this month. Violinist Sarah Neufeld of Grammy-winning indie rockers Arcade Fire will grace the West Side stage with her new solo project.
Thinking Feller's Bonnaroo: Big Ears Fest 2014 Announces Daily Lineup & Tickets... >>
The time, dear Classicalites, has come. Yes, Big Ears Festival 2014 has finally posted its daily line up.
UPDATE: Big Ears Fest 2014 Announces Daily Lineups and Daily Ticket Sales for this Week >>
Earlier this month, Classicalite updated readers on the Big Ears Festival. The lineup had just been announced and now, Big Ears keeps us waiting just slightly longer.
Laurello, Lerew or Warren: Sō Percussion to Premiere One American Composers Forum National Finalist in New Jersey >>
Sō Percussion's unique style of ensemble infuses all things struck and battered. Sure, composers the likes of Edgard Varèse, John Cage and Steve Reich have passed down their percussive theories, but this quartet has formulated a repertoire--if not an entire ideology--that's pretty much all their own.
Contemporary Music Super-Group eighth blackbird Performs 'Still In Motion' at The Kitchen in February >>
Three-time Grammy-winning contemporary music ensemble eighth blackbird returns with another awe-inspiring performance, Still in Motion, at one of New York City's most storied work spaces, The Kitchen.
