One could argue that composers are the "guiding light" for those dedicated to music. Composers formulate new languages and harmonic patterns, shape new understandings of the sonic reality around us and push the boundaries of familiar styles and techniques. Both absence and presence of sound are crucial in the exploratory and creative endeavour called composition. It often resembles writing a line, a word or symbol on a white sheet of paper or brushstrokes on a canvas - filling gaps or intentionally creating gaps, thereby creating an enhanced emotional and sensory perception. Sequence, rhythm, coincidence, overlapping, inversion and invasion are as much part of this as are intentional and careful construction of harmonic dimensions.
Composers allow virtual time-travel, possibly even to experience the music of tomorrow, here and today. The ACF - COMPOSERS SERIES explores new developments in composition and tonal possibilities both by paying homage to well established living composers and giving young composers a dedicated platform for performance. Each composer - from Austria, America and elsewhere - presents his/her personal experience and style in a unique way: performing, giving a master class, composition workshop, lecture or engaging in a dialogue.
Anyone interested in meeting the composers and in taking a closer look at their approach and composition techniques can gain an invaluable insight in the immediacy and intimacy of the ACF auditorium.
The first two portraits in the composer series, will open up the forum for a more international dialogue, alternating international presentations with those of Austrian and American composers.
Wednesday October 15
6:00 PM (ADDITIONAL TIME)
7:30 PM
Concert and
Meet the composer: HUANG RUO
Performance by
Future in Reverse Ensemble
Works by H. Ruo and A. v. Webern
Monday October 27, 7:30 PM
Concert:
BERNHARD LANG's:
"Schrift/Bild/Schrift"
Performance by
Argento New Music Project
at Symphony Space, New York
Tuesday October 28, 7:30 PM
Meet the composer: BERNHARD LANG
Composer in dialog at the ACFNY
ACF - COMPOSERS SERIES PORTRAIT
HUANG RUO
Huang Ruo was born in Hainan Island, 1976, the year the Chinese culture revolution ended. In the 80s and the 90s, when China was steadily opening up its gate to the Western world, he received both traditional and western education in the Shanghai Conservatory of Music. Later he moved to the United States for his BA, MA and doctor of Musical Art degree. Hailed by The Wall Street Journal as "strikingly assured," Huang's music has been performed by numerous renowned orchestras on places all over the world.
Sometimes I would mix reality and memory and also imaginations. So, sound for me is a main resource from whatever sound I hear on the streets or from when I go to sleep, I dream about sounds. Since I have this memory: I wrote the best piece ever in my dream, and when I get up I just forgot it, I was so upset with myself! I really wish to relive that moment. I'm sure it happens to a lot of people, you just wish to continue a dream but you can't.
This excerpt of an interview with the composer in 2008 was reprinted with kind permission of: New York Public Radio, WNYC 93.9 FM
The interview was conducted by: Alex Ambrose, Associate Producer for Evening Music
BERNHARD LANG
Bernhard Lang studied Jazz piano, Classical Piano and Composition - and in addition Philosophy and German Philology. Since 1988 he has been working at the University of Music and dramatic Arts in Graz, since 2003 as Professor for Composition. His pieces have been performed all over the world.
The concept of extending everyday perceptions is political; this is not about a new colonialism of networks and aggressive "sensual assaults", but about the basic subversive damage of the consolidated pattern of perception and voluptuous reality, which makes any exertion of power possible to begin with. I do not believe in a composer who represents the system, masks the brutality of the empire with musical entertainment and makes it socially acceptable. I do not believe in a composer who only sees history as a museum-like source of material. I do not believe in a composer who believes in himself. (Bernhard Lang, 1995)
? mica - music information center Austria
