This week, you’re in for a treat.
That’s because this week, the Kitchen is presenting you with an ambitious multi-media festival of boundary-pushing, post-classical song featuring the brightest rising young stars as well as the most beloved, well-known composers of New York City’s contemporary music scene.
That festival is 21c Liederabend op.2.
The concept of a liederabend dates back to Germany in the 1800’s when musicians and lovers of music would gather at someone’s home, and one or more singers would sing the songs of composers.
Seeking to update the definition of liederabend for the 21st century, Beth Morrison Projects, Opera on Tap and VisionIntoArt joined forces to create the most ambitious, and comprehensive art song festival of the season. Building on the festival’s critically-acclaimed premiere in 2009 (Timeout NY Best of 2009 in Classical and Opera), the producers have expanded the festival exponentially to present works of 21 composers including 6 world premieres over the course of 3 nights, encompassing an explosive array of styles presented within a visual palate of projection design, newly commissioned films and sculptural lighting design.
The festival runs Thursday April 7th- Saturday April 9th and starts at 8pm every night.
Tickets Here.
The composers featured during the festival (with premieres in italics) will be:
Thursday, April 7: Paola Prestini, Theo Bleckmann, Julia Wolfe, Phil Kline, Matt Marks, Gregory Spears, Russell Platt, and Gabriel Kahane
Friday, April 8: Paola Prestini, Douglas J. Cuomo, Kamala Sankaram, Missy Mazzoli, Peter Golub, Ted Hearne, and Milica Paranosic
Saturday, April 9: Sarah Kirkland Snider, John Zorn, David T. Little, Paola Prestini, Du Yun (Festival Commission), Lev Zhurbin and Daniel Felsenfeld