In Praise of Audiences…

This week’s editions of Soundcheck focus on those who listen to music rather than those who perform it: the esteemed members of the audience. The quirky contemporary-music sextet known as eighth blackbird discuss how they’ve up-ended the traditional concert format and share their vision of getting classical-music fans to lighten up. American composer Joan Tower describes what her creative life has been like writing for string quartets, orchestras, and other kinds of ensembles. Plus, a live performance by the Meridian Arts Ensemble, who also talk about how audiences have received the group's mixed bag of repertoire (J.S. Bach, Jimi Hendrix, and South African group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, for starters).
Currently the ensemble-in-residence at Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, eighth blackbird is devoted to introducing audiences to the best works by living composers.
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Joan Tower’s unconventional compositions have evolved into full-scale choreographed works that showcase the talents of such solo performers as percussionist Evelyn Glennie.
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In addition to rearranging music by the likes of Captain Beefheart and Frank Zappa, the members of the Meridian Arts Ensemble also play contemporary classical works and their own original compositions.
More about Meridian Arts Ensemble