Saturday, November 19, 2016

Center for New Music: December 2016

Looking ahead to next month, the Center for New Music (C4NM) will be taking the same holiday break than many other performing institutions will experience. However, there will be about two weeks of activity before that break occurs. One of those events, the latest “progress report” on Aaron Gervais’ Prescription Drug Nation by the Mobius Trio, has already been given a special heads-up announcement, since December 10 is shaping up to be a busy day.

C4NM is located at 55 Taylor Street, half a block north of where Golden Gate Avenue meets Market Street. Tickets for all events are now available for advance purchase online. Specifics for C4NM performances of the other events in December are as follows:

Friday, December 2, 8 p.m.: This will be a transnational evening of improvisations and compositions by the duo of Californian Ben Zucker, alternating between trumpet and vibraphone, and Canadian Amy Brandon on guitar. This will be a free event. However, there will be no opportunities for advance registration.

Saturday, December 3, 6:30 p.m.: The closest things will get to a “seasonal” event will be Ho Ho Ho, a “holiday soirée” organized by Post:Ballet that will combine celebration with fundraising. The connection between Post:Ballet and C4NM goes back to the fundraising launch of the group’s collaboration with The Living Earth Show (TLES) on the creation of the full-evening performance of Do Be. TLES performers Travis Andrews on guitar and Andy Meyerson on percussion will contribute to this event. There will also be the world premiere of “Bend,” composed by Post:Ballet Company Manager D. Riley Nicholson and performed by the Amaranth Quartet. The Post:Ballet artists will also present a special 2016 holiday edition of “Man-a-Can.”

Because this is a fundraising event, general admission will be $60, and C4NM members will be admitted for $55. However, if the donation is made in advance through a donation page set up by Dancers’ Group, one can be admitted for a donation of $50. Note that only 75 invitations to this event will be made available.

Sunday, December 4, 8 p.m.: Kyle Bruckmann will curate the next sfSoundSalonSeries concert. This will be a duo performance by violinist Biliana Voutchkova and clarinetist Michael Thieke, both of whom are based in Berlin and have worked together since 2011. They have been exploring the creation of slowly moving soundscapes using pitch classes based on microtonality. Their approach to creation includes both conventional composition and improvisation. Their visit to C4NM has been made possible through cooperation with the Goethe-Institute-Chicago. General admission will be $15 with a $10 rate for C4NM members, students, and the underemployed. Tickets may be purchased in advance through a Vendini Web page.

Wednesday, December 7, 8 p.m.: This will be a free concert of new works by students in the Graduate Seminar in Composition at Mills College, which will include music for chamber ensemble, live electronics, field recordings, and improvisors.

Thursday, December, 8, 8 p.m.: Pamela Z will be joined by Swedish composer and performer Annë Paiounèn. They will present an evening of solos and duets for voices, electronics, video, and objects. General admission will be $15 with a $10 rate for C4NM members. Tickets may be purchased in advance through a Vendini Web page.

Friday, December 9, 7:30 p.m.: Adam Marks will curate a visit by New York pianist Kathy Supove. She will give the West Coast premiere of Dylan Mattingly’s Achilles Dreams of Ebbets Field. This is a two-hour epic in 24 movements that covers a broad spectrum of emotional dispositions. General admission will be $15 with a $10 rate for C4NM members. Tickets may be purchased in advance through a Vendini Web page.

Tuesday, December 13, 7:30 p.m.: This will be a launch concert for the debut album of pianist and composer Eric Tran. The album will include both solo and chamber music compositions. The performers will include the Friction Quartet, flutist Bethanne Walker, cellist Helen Newby, and violinist Annamarie Arai. A copy of the physical CD will be provided along with the ticket. General admission will be $15 with a $10 rate for C4NM members. Tickets may be purchased in advance through a Vendini Web page.

Wednesday, December 14, 8 p.m.: The [Switch~ Ensemble], which has residencies at the University of Chicago and Kent State University this season, will be giving its first performance in San Francisco. The performers will be Madison Greenstone on clarinets, T.J. Borden on cello, Wei-Han Wu on piano, and Jason Thorpe Buchanan on electronics. Composers to be included on the program will be Anthony Pateras, Matt Sargent, Lisa Streich, Chris Chandler, and Ben Isaacs. General admission will be $15 with a $10 rate for C4NM members. Tickets may be purchased in advance through a Vendini Web page.

Sunday, December 18, 3 p.m.: Time Flies will be a duo recital by violinist Kate Stenberg and pianist Lisa Moore. The program will feature the West Coast premiere os “Sliabh Beagh” (borderlands), written for a singing piano by Australian composer Kate Moore. Music by Martin Bresnick will be performed to honor his 70th birthday. Other composers on the program will be Philip Glass, Somei Satoh, Amy X Neuburg, and Michael Gordon. General admission will be $20 with a $15 rate for C4NM members. Tickets may be purchased in advance through a Vendini Web page.

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