“A superb contemporary-music collective.” —New York Times
Noted for its presentation of “bracing sonic adventures” (Chicago Tribune), Ensemble Dal Niente aims to drive musical discourse with adventurous projects that exhibit an ambitious range of aesthetic values tied to contemporary life and culture. The ensemble presents repertoire in various configurations with relentless attention to interpretation. Recent projects include a collaboration with Deerhoof and Marcos Balter; a tour of Latin American countries; performances and recordings of works by George Lewis; an East Coast tour of German music; and their annual “Hard Music, Hard Liquor” and “Party” series.
Ensemble Dal Niente‘s Scripps College performance will present its thirteen musicians in formats both large and small and feature compositions by Natacha Diels, Greg Saunier, and Katherine Young. The group’s recent collaboration with indie-art rockers Deerhoof is showcased with Greg Saunier’s Deerhoof Chamber Variations: a quirky, fragmentary medley of excerpts from the band’s catalog is arranged for chamber ensemble and voices, recasting Deerhoof songs in half-familiar classical styles with a disarming charm. Natacha Diels’ Elpis twists our culturally established conceptions of image in mind-bending ways through the inventive application of objects, bodies, and instruments. Dal Niente’s October 29 performance at Garrison Theater also features Katherine Young’s work of keen sonic inventiveness, like a halo.
Virtuosic and aggressive, Franco Donatoni’s Ala for cello and double bass contrasts with Giacinto Scelsi’s Okanagon, which unites all-encompassing, striking low resonances from three instruments not likely to be found in a trio: harp, double bass, and tam-tam. Brazilian composer Alexandre Lunsqui combines nuanced rhythmic contours with metallic resonances in his Vertebrae for vibraphone and metal pipes.
Garrison Theater, 7:00 pm
Pre-Concert Discussion:
Musicians from Ensemble Dal Niente will speak about their experience being part of an internationally renowned collective devoted to performing and disseminating new music. Topics to be discussed include: the importance for classically trained musicians and music lovers to perform and be exposed to new music beyond the traditional classical canon, working with living composers, and challenges related to promoting contemporary music in the US.
This program is presented in partnership with the Bessie Bartlett Frankel Chamber Music Festival, the Scripps College Department of Music, J.C. Harper Lecture Funds, and the Joint Music Program of CMC, HMC, Pitzer, and Scripps.
Ticket reservations are required.