Time of Falling Flowers

  

Seattle Public Library, Microsoft Auditorium
Sunday, October 13, 2013, 2:00pm
Admission is free

SCP collaborates with rock-star bassoonist Martin Kuuskmann, pianist Cristina Valdes, and percussionist Rob Tucker in a performance of new music of some of the most promising emerging composers from Europe and Africa whose explorations of their own national traditions result in dynamic chamber compositions for Western orchestral instruments.

[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="232"] Martin Kuuskmann, bassoon[/caption]

Featuring the world premiere of Lisse Strié by Algerian composer Salim Dada, recent works by Helena Tulve (Estonia) and Nabil Benabdeljalil (Morocco) will receive their U.S. premieres in addition to a reprise of Virya (2004) by Christophe Bertrand. Music on the Grass (1995) by Latvian composer George Pelecis, a fresh and positive example of what was called at the time “the new consonance,” will join the highly regarded Alexander Raskatov’s Time of Falling Flowers, written in 2006 for the Seattle Chamber Players. Each piece is conceptually unique, highly innovative, and sure to provoke and inspire audiences.

 

  

Martin Kuuskmann (Estonia) is a commanding force bent on redefining the bassoon as a top caliber solo instrument. His charismatic and entertaining performances throughout the world have earned him repute as one of the leading instrumentalists around.  The New York Times praised Kuuskmann’s playing as “dynamic… amazing… gripping” and in 2007 he received a Grammy Nomination for his performance of David Chesky’s bassoon concerto.

 

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240"] Cristina Valdes, piano[/caption]

Cristina Valdes is known for presenting innovative concerts with works ranging from Bach to Xenakis. She has performed across four continents and in multiple venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Recital Hall, Merkin Hall, Miller Theatre, Jordan Hall and the Kennedy Center. Her passionate interest in new music has led to collaborations with such renowned composers as Terry Riley, Joan Tower, Ezra Laderman and Morton Subotnick.

Percussionist Rob Tucker enjoys playing chamber music in various settings, with his percussion quartet, Pacific Rims, with the Seattle Chamber Players, and at festivals around the Northwest, including those of Orcas Island and Icicle Creek. Tucker is an in-demand artist in Seattle's recording studios, having performed on well over 100 movie and video game soundtracks. Tucker teaches percussion at Western Washington University.

Program

Helena Tulve (b. 1972, Estonia): Und von liehte vinster (2012) for bassoon and string quartet (U.S. premiere)

Salim Dada (b. 1975, Algeria): Lisse Strié (2012) for flute, clarinet, violin, cello and percussion (SCP commission, world premiere run)

Nabil Benabdeljalil (b. 1972, Morocco): La plainte de Lounja (2007) for alto flute and piano (U.S. premiere)

Georgs Pelecis (b. 1947, Latvia): Music on the Grass (1995) for bassoon, flute, violin, viola and cello

Christophe Bertrand (1981-2010, France): Virya (2004) for flute, clarinet, piano and percussion

Alexander Raskatov (b. 1953, Russia): Time of Falling Flowers (2006) for flute, bass clarinet, violin, cello, percussion and piano (SCP commission)

 

Support for this program comes from the Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs.