by Mike Telin
A year and a half ago, saxophonist Noa Even and cellist Sophie Benn got together to discuss ways to promote new music in Cleveland. They soon brought drummer Stephen Klunk and Bop Stop manager Gabe Pollack into the conversation, and the idea of starting a new music festival in the city was born. Beginning on June 7 and running through June 10, the inaugural Re:Sound Festival of new music will feature twenty-seven musical acts across seven concerts at five venues.
“An aspect of the festival we like to emphasize is just how new the music is,” Noa Even said during a telephone conversation. “All of it is from 2000 or later, so it’s truly a showcase of what people are creating today, improvised and composed. ‘New music’ encompasses so many styles and influences, and hopefully the Festival will capture that diversity.”
The performers were chosen from a pool of over 100 applicants who responded to the organizing committee’s call for proposals. Those included soloists and existing chamber music ensembles ranging from duos to sextets, as well as composer/performers and experimental artists.
“The performers included their repertoire when they applied, which was how we were able to select a variety of artists and musical styles,” Even said, adding that each set will consist of up to 25 minutes of music.
“The performers have also approached their projects from different angles — like Brianna Matzke. Her two pieces are part of her Stockhausen Response Project, where she commissioned pieces for solo piano by asking composers to respond to Stockhausen’s historic Mikrophonie.”
Even noted that Cleveland-based composer Buck McDaniel will be joined by friends and collaborators from both the contemporary music community and the city’s vast indie-rock and jazz scenes. Joo Won Park will improvise using found objects, synthesizer, no-input mixer, and a game controller.
Another act will be Popebama. “I always enjoy them. They’re composer/performers and their setup is so theatrical — for two people they use so much equipment. And the sounds they come up with are incredible.”
Post-Haste Reed Duo will perform Ruby Fulton’s 27 Miles East of Headquarters, ID (2017), and Donut Robot (2018). “She and Duo’s bassoonist both teach at the University of Idaho. Ruby’s coming to the Festival so it will be fun to have her with us. Hopefully she’ll talk about her music.”
The concerts will also take place in venues that will allow players and audiences to relax and spend time together. Those include Hingetown’s SPACES gallery and the Bop Stop, Slavic Village’s The Magalen, and Tremont’s CODA and Visible Voice Books.
“Our hope is that there’s something for everybody. We also hope the Festival will build a sense of community among musicians in Cleveland, but also for musicians from around the country to think of the city as a place to perform new music.”
In addition to purchasing singe tickets, Festival passes are also available.
The Festival kicks off on Thursday, June 7 at 7:30 pm at the Bop Stop, with performances by St. Paul-based Zeitgeist, Boston-based Transient Canvas and the Semiosis Quartet, and Cleveland-based composer Buck McDaniel. Click here for information about the performers and to purchase tickets.
On Friday, June 8 at 8:00 pm at The Magalen, the lineup will include Cleveland harpist Stephan Haluska, saxophonist Nick Zoulek, Detroit-based bassist and improviser Ben Willis, and New York City-based saxophone and percussion duo Popebama. Click here for information about the performers and to purchase tickets.
Concerts on Saturday, June 9 begin at 2:00 pm at SPACES. Performers include Austin-based cellist James Burch, Chicago-based percussionist John Corkill, flutist Shanna Gutierrez, and Columbus-based flute and saxophone ensemble Tower Duo. Click here for information about the performers and to purchase tickets.
At 5:00 pm the festivities move to the Bop Stop for a concert that will include Pittsburgh-based Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra, Cincinnati-based pianist Brianna Matzke, local saxophonist Phil Pierick, and Rochester-based pianist Kurt Galván. The Syndicate for the New Arts will feature improviser and composer John Sokol. Click here for information about the performers and to purchase tickets.
At 9:30 pm the music will move to CODA with performances by electric violist Martha Mooke, electronic musician Joo Won Park, composer/performer Will Mason, and the Idaho-based Post-Haste Reed Duo (Sean Fredenburg, saxophones, Javier Rodriguez, bassoon). Click here for information about the performers and to purchase tickets.
Sunday, June 10 starts off with a 2:00 pm concert at Visible Voice Books. The lineup includes Pittsburgh’s new music ensemble Kamraton, the voice, clarinet, and cello trio Juxtatonal, and the bass clarinet, electric guitar, and percussion trio Fat Pigeon. Click here for information about the performers and to purchase tickets.
At 4:00 pm following that concert, a free panel discussion titled “The Multifaceted Musician” will feature a conversation with Festival performers. Elizabeth Baker, Will Mason, Erin Rogers, and Dennis Sullivan will talk about their artistic endeavors, forging new ground, and finding balance.
Re:Sound wraps up later that evening with a 7:30 pm performance at the Bop Stop. Artists include Pittsburgh-based pianist James Iman, Morgantown-based saxophonist Justin Massey, composer/improviser Elizabeth Baker, and Cleveland-based trio Togishi (Mike Sopko, guitar, Joe Tomino, drums and electronics, and Dan Wenninger, saxophones and hulusi). Click here for information about the performers and to purchase tickets.
Published on ClevelandClassical.com May 22, 2018.
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