contempo | current season

Rebekah Boyer, "Dingy," detail (2000)

In collaboration with University of Chicago Presents’ city-wide Messiaen Festival, the season commences with an homage to the French master, a true giant of his era. The program’s richly international compositional line-up, including a world premiere by Marta Ptaszynska, underlines Messiaen’s sphere of influence. In another season highlight, the noted American composer Stephen Hartke is the subject of a unique portrait by resident ensemble eighth blackbird at the Harris Theater, joined by the acclaimed Hilliard Ensemble. Contempo’s annual double-bill at the MCA presents a program that is as diverse as it is intriguing. You will be surprised and riveted by the music of Donald Crockett, Lee Hyla, and the Cambodian-American Chinary Ung, followed by the legendary Brazilian singer Leny Andrade, known for her immense verve and charisma, her command of harmony, and her luscious deep alto, in what is now a rare U.S. appearance.
10.04.08 SATURDAY 7:30pm The University of Chicago Mandel Hall 1131 E. 57th Street UCP box office: 773.702.8068 chicagopresents.uchicago.edu $20 general admission $5 students with valid ID	Messiaen: Spheres of Inflence Olivier Messiaen: Piece for Piano and String Quartet Pierre Boulez: Derive I Toru Takemitsu: Ame no jumon (Rain Spell) George Benjamin: Viola/Viola Gerald Levinson: Time and the Bell... * Stephen Gosling: solo pianist Marta Ptaszynska: Trois visions de l'arc-en-ciel ** * Chicago premiere ** World premiere Alongside a late, rarely heard piano quintet by Messiaen and music by Takemitsu and Boulez, whom the French master himself considered major 20th-century forces, this program also pays homage to Messiaen the inspirational teacher. Works by three of his most illustrious students will be heard, including a commissioned world-premiere by University of Chicago composer Marta Ptaszynska. The French-American Fund for Contemporary Music, a program of FACE with support from Cultural Services of the French Embassy, CulturesFrance, SACEM and the Florence Gould Foundation

02.19.09 THURSDAY 7:30pm Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millenium Park 205 E. Randolph Drive Harris Theater box office: 312.334.7777 harristheaterchicago.org $20 general admission $5 students with valid ID	eighth blackbird with Hilliard Ensemble The Music of Stephen Hartke: The Horse with the Lavender Eye Meanwhile...* Tituli * Chicago premiere Grammy Award-winning resident ensemble eighth blackbird is joined by the Hilliard Ensemble to offer a panoramic view of the American composer Stephen Hartke’s chamber and vocal music. His music has been winning admirers among performers and listeners drawn to its individuality and its ability to engage and enthrall.

04.04.09 SATURDAY 7:30pm 6:30pm: Pre-concert conversation with guest composer Museum of Contemporary Art 220 E. Chicago Avenue MCA box office: 312.397.4010 mcachicago.org $25 general admission $20 for MCA members $10 students with valid ID	Double Bill: Contempo + Leny Andrade Donald Crockett: Whistling in the Dark * Chinary Ung: Still Life After Death * Nina Heebink, mezzo soprano Lee Hyla: We Speak Etruscan Leny Andrade, vocalist, with Dario Eskenazi, piano, Kip Reed, bass, and Helio Schiavo, drums * Chicago premiere We speak Etruscan here! And that’s just for starters. Our program of music by three stellar American composers brings together Donald Crockett’s west-coast postminimalism, Chinary Ung’s Eastern sensibilities and spirituality, and Lee Hyla’s pulsating, virtuosic, jazz-inspired duo. After the intermission, Brazilian queen of Bossa Nova Leny Andrade will grace Chicago in an all-too-rare appearance. This double-bill will sizzle.

Tomorrow's Music Today Performance of works by young talent has always been an integral part of Contempo’s mission. In these annual concerts the finest young composers realize their vision through brilliant interactions with Contempo’s world-class artists-in-residence. Come hear the results!
05.15.09 FRIDAY 7:30 pm The University of Chicago Fulton Recital Hall 1010 E. 59th Street 4th floor FREE	TMT 1 Music by: Jacob Bancks Andy Jasinski Dylan Schneider Takuma Tanikawa
05.28.09 THURSDAY 7:30 pm Roosevelt University Ganz Hall 430 S. Michigan Avenue 7th floor FREE	TMT 2 Music by: Alex J. Berezowsky Füsun Köksal April Mok Steve Winfield

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