:: concerts 2012

JANUARY 20-22 2012

san francisco tape music festival :: odc theater :: 3153 17th :: san francisco :: $15/8[$35] :: 8p

The San Francisco Tape Music Festival 2012 America's only festival devoted to the performance of audio works projected in three-dimensional space, with three distinct evenings of classic audio art and new fixed media compositions by 25 local and international composers. Hear members of the SF Tape Music Collective, along with guest composers, shape the sound live over a pristine surround system consisting of 16+ high-end loudspeakers while the audience is seated in complete darkness. It's a unique opportunity to experience music forming - literally - around you. This year we celebrate 100 years of John Cage, with classic tape assemblages spanning his career, along with two new realizations of tape scores by the SF Tape Music Collective. Plus the first ever captured sounds, realized 163 year-old phonautograph realizations. Classics by Milton Babbitt, Raymond Scott, Jim Henson, Luc Ferrari, and The Beatles; and new works by Thom Blum, Cliff Caruthers, Jacob Felix Heule, Matt Ingalls, Kristin Miltner, Maggi Payne, and Rubber (O) Cement™, Joseph Anderson (UK), Matthew Barnard (UK), Martin Bédard (Montréal), Christopher Burns (Milwaukee), Dan Joseph (New York), Orestis Karamanlis (Greece), Stelios Manousakis (Seattle), Émilie Payeur (Montréal), Alexander Schubert (Germany), Christian Swithinbank (UK), Adam Basanta (Montréal), and John Young (UK).

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 2 2012

ccrma stage :: stanford university :: free :: 8p

a concert of new instrumental music with electronics! PROGRAM James Tenney - Ergodos II (For John Cage) (1978) computer generated tape with instrumental responses Phil Niblock - Disseminate (1998) pre-recorded and live instruments Mario Davidovsky - Synchronisms #3 (1965) cello and tape Per Bloland - Quintet (2005) sax and live electronics Kyle Bruckmann - Cell Structure (2009) oboe, clarinet, and recorded analog electronics Matt Ingalls - False Awakening (2008) amplified instruments and electronics PERFORMERS Kyle Bruckmann oboe Matt Ingalls, clarinet John Ingle, saxophone Monica Scott, cello

SUNDAY MARCH 4 2012

community music center :: 544 capp :: san francisco :: 8p :: $15 [$8 underemployed]

SPECIAL EVENT From Holland: Virtuoso Vocalist Jaap Blonk performing solo and with sfSound! Jaap Blonk is a self-taught composer, performer and poet who has worked since the early 1980s almost exclusively in the realm of improvised vocal performance and Dada inspired concrete poetry. He is celebrated world-wide for his powerful stage presence and almost childlike freedom in improvisation with a keen grasp of structure. He has collaborated with many musicians and ensembles in the field of contemporary and improvised music, like Maja Ratkje, Mats Gustafsson, Nicolas Collins, Joan La Barbara, Carola Bauckholt, Golan Levin, The Ex, the Netherlands Wind Ensemble and the Ebony Band. As part of our continuing celebration of John Cage's 100th birthday, we present one of Cage's most known and effective simultaneous performances of pieces, Aria with Fontana Mix. Blonk will be performing his interpretation of Aria while sfSound premieres our new acoustic realization of Fontana Mix. In addition, we present one of Cage's earlieast works, the rarely heard Composition for 3 Voices. This concert is presented in association with San Francisco Cinematheque. PROGRAM Jaap Blonk - Dr Voxoid's Next Move (2011, 45m) John Cage - Aria (1958 - featuring Jaap Blonk) with Fontana Mix (1958 - sfSound's new realization, 10m) Jaap Blonk/sfSoundGroup - Improvisation (2012, 10m) John Cage - Composition for 3 Voices (1934, 5m) Matt Ingalls - False Awakening (2008, 15m) amplified instruments and electronics PERFORMERS Jaap Blonk, voice Kyle Bruckmann, oboe Tom Dambly, trumpet Matt Ingalls, clarinet John Ingle, saxophone Ben Kreith, violin Michelle Lou, guitar Hadley McCarroll, piano Monica Scott, cello Andy Strain, trombone

SAT JULY 14 2012 :: Variation VII

odc dance commons :: studio b :: 351 shotwell :: san francisco :: 8p :: $15 [$8 underemployed] :: cash at door only

We launch our first summer Variation with a program encompassing Cage's entire career, from Imaginary Landscape No. 1 (1939) (one of the earliest electro-acoustic works ever composed) to one of Cage's final works, the hauntingly beautiful microtonal ten (1991). As to be expected, this concert covers a large spectrum of sounds, including voice, a chamber ensemble, piano preparations, test tones, conch shells, the sound of fire, a radio, 3 whistles, water containers, water pouring, shuffling a deck of cards, a wooden stick, found objects, paper crumpling, and silence. Plus a new Cage-inspired work by sfSound's Monica Scott! PROGRAM Imaginary Landscape No. 1 (1939) 2 variable-speed phono turntables, frequency recordings, muted piano and cymbal The Wonderful Widow of Eighteen Springs (1942) Experiences II (1948) solo voice Water Music (1952) pianist, radio, 3 whistles, water containers, deck of cards, a wooden stick, four objects for preparing a piano and a stopwatch; score to be mounted as a large poster But what about the noise of crumpling paper which he used to do in order to paint the series of "Papiers froisses" or tearing up paper to make "Papiers dechires?" Arp was stimulated by water (sea, lake, and flowing waters like rivers), forests (1985) found objects, water, and crumpling paper ten (1991) microtonal chamber ensemble (h)ear age:C (2012) a new Cage-inspired chamber work by sfSound's Monica Scott PERFORMERS Hadley McCarroll, voice and piano Matt Ingalls, clarinet and test frequencies John Ingle, saxophone Tom Dambly, trumpet Brendan Lai-Tong, trombone Matthew Goodheart, piano Kjell Nordeson, percussion Erik Ulman, violin Ben Kreith, violin Tara Flandreau, viola Monica Scott, cello

SUN AUGUST 5 2012 :: Variation VIII

the lab :: 2948 16th st :: san francisco :: 8p :: $15 [$8 underemployed] :: cash at door only

Our next Variation is a program focusing on Cage's most pioneering experimental, electronic, and noise music. Starting with early works utilizing 'non-musical' objects to generate sound [ Living Room Music (1940) and Radio Music (1956) ], we move to Cage's music for amplified objects from the early 60's. These works, epitomized by Cartridge Music (1960), feature graphic scores written on transparencies arranged by performers to realize various "events" amplified with contact microphones and phonograph cartridges. Although Cage was famously opposed to improvisation, these works require musicians who can make musical decisions based on real-time listening -- a skill honed by all the sfSound players! Balancing out the program are two acoustic works: Music For ________ (1984-87) for chamber ensemble and a new work for improvisers by sfSound's Christopher Burns. PROGRAM Living Room Music (1940) household objects and voice Radio Music (1956) one to eight radios Cartridge Music (1960) phonographic pick-ups, small objects, furniture, contact microphones, and amplification Music for Amplified Toy Pianos (1960) any number of toy pianos 0'00" (4'33" No.2) (1962) a disciplined action with maximum amplification Inlets (Improvisation II) (1977) water-filled conch shells, a conch shell player using circular breathing and the sound of fire Music For ________ (1984-87) chamber ensemble One3 (1988) a hall on the edge of feedback unlit cigarettes (for john cage) (2012) a new work by Christopher Burns for four or more improvisers PERFORMERS Kyle Bruckmann, oboe, electronics & toy piano Christopher Burns, electronics Amar Chaudhary, toy piano Daniel Cullen, toy piano Tom Dambly, trumpet, furniture & electronics Tom Djll, trumpet and electronics Sivan Eldar, toy piano Tara Flandreau, violin and electronics Matthew Goodheart, furniture & electronics Matt Ingalls, clarinet, furniture, electronics & toy piano John Ingle, saxophone Hadley McCarroll, furniture, voice & toy piano Wobbly, electronics

FRI AUGUST 17 2012 :: Variation IX

old first concerts :: 1751 sacramento :: san francisco :: 8p :: $17/14

This Variation brings an exciting program of some of Cage's most virtuosic and elegantly drawn scores, featuring performances by New York violinist Tom Chiu (Flux Quartet), pianist Christopher Jones (Chicago), and the sfSoundOrchestra. Although widely known, Music of Changes (solo piano, 1951) and Freeman Etudes (solo violin , 1977-90) are undoubtedly Cage's most difficult pieces and are rarely performed. This is an extraordinary opportunity to hear both works live that should not be missed! Rounding out the program, we present three of Cage's most iconic works: Concert for Piano and Orchestra (1957-58), Cheap Imitation (1969-77), and Atlas Eclipticalis (1961-62). PROGRAM Music of Changes (books I and IV) (1951) solo piano 59½" For a String Player (1953) solo violin Concert for Piano and Orchestra (1957-58) with Solo for Voice 1 (1960) piano and chamber ensemble Atlas Eclipticalis (1961-62) with Solo for Voice 45 (1970) chamber orchestra Cheap Imitation (1969-77) solo violin Freeman Etudes (1977-90) solo violin PERFORMERS featuring: Tom Chiu, solo violin Christopher Jones, solo piano and conductor Kyle Bruckmann, oboe Jesse Canterbury, clarinets Matt Ingalls, clarinets John Ingle, saxophone Steve Adams, woodwinds Phillip Greenlief, woodwinds Jon Raskin, woodwinds Tom Dambly, trumpet Tom Djll, trumpet Christian Behrens, trombone Kjell Nordeson, percussion Erik Ulman, violin Tara Flandreau, viola Richard Worn, bass Hadley McCarroll, voice Ken Ueno, voice

SUN AUGUST 25 2012 :: Variation 0

berkeley arts festival space :: 4p

11th and 12th Annual Transbay Skronkathon BBQ

THU SEPTEMBER 6 2012 :: Variation X

sfmoma :: 151 3rd st :: san francisco :: 7p :: $10 general/$7 museum members, students, seniors

sfSound reprises Cartridge Music (1960), as part of the San Francisco Electronic Music Festival

THU SEPTEMBER 20 2012 :: Variation XI

sfmoma :: 151 3rd st :: san francisco :: 7p :: $10 general/$7 museum members, students, seniors :: advance ticket purchase

Our final Variation ends with some of Cage's most intriguing and theatrical works. The program centers around the The City Wears a Slouch Hat, Cage's only "radio drama" work from 1942 with a text written by Kenneth Patchen. This 30-minute piece written for a "sound orchestra" of percussion, sound effects, and actors has only recently been known publicly, with only a handful of live performances. Featuring a star cast (John Flanagan, Stacy Ross, Michael Sommers, David Winter) with local virtuosi Rootstock Percussion, this is an event not to be missed! The concert also includes the iconic works Sonatas and Interludes (1948), Cage's magnum opus for prepared piano, performed by Hadley McCarroll and an all-acoustic realization of Aria with Fontana Mix (1958), performed by soprano Julia Hathaway. sfSoundGroup also performs their unique transcriptions of Sonatas and Interludes for chamber ensemble and one of Cage's latest works, the elegant Five (1988). PROGRAM Sonatas and Interludes (selected) (1948) prepared piano sfSound's Sonatas & Interludes Transcription Project (2012) chamber ensemble The City Wears a Slouch Hat (1942) percussion, sound effects, and actors Aria with Fontana Mix (1958) voice and chamber ensemble Five (1988) chamber ensemble PERFORMERS featuring: John Flanagan, actor Julia Hathaway, voice Hadley McCarroll, piano Rootstock Percussion (Christopher Froh, Daniel Kennedy and Loren Mach) Stacy Ross, actor Michael Sommers, actor David Winter, actor and: Kyle Bruckmann, oboe Tom Dambly, trumpet Matt Ingalls, clarinet & sound effects Ben Kreith, violin Monica Scott, cello Andy Strain, trombone

EUROPEAN TOUR

October 12, Faithful! Festival, Berlin October 14, Prague Cabaret with Praha Improvizační Orchestr, Prague October 16, New Music Encounters Plus, Janáček Academy of Music and Performing Arts, Brno

NOVEMBER 18 2012

chamber music day :: yerba buena center for the arts :: 701 mission :: san francisco :: free

Mission Eye & Ear: live cinema Matt Ingalls/sfSoundGroup present sound to a film by Konrad Steiner