The San Francisco Contemporary Music Players presents
Contemporary Insights: Music and Conversation
John Harbison’s The Seven Ages
The San Francisco Contemporary Music Players begins its 2009-10 season of Contemporary Insights: Music and Conversation events with a performance and discussion of John Harbison’s The Seven Ages at 4:30 p.m. at ODC Dance Commons in San Francisco. Before and after the performance, the composer, the conductor, and the performers will engage the audience in a discussion about the piece, illustrating with musical examples from the work. The audience is invited to a post-performance reception with wine and snacks. Sara Jobin conducts.
Composer John Harbison joins the ensemble to discuss his new work, a song cycle for mezzo-soprano, flute, clarinet, vibraphone, piano, violin, and cello that was co-commissioned by the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players and the New York New Music Ensemble. The text for this 25-minute piece is taken from the work of Pultizer Prize-winning poet Louise Glück. Mezzo-soprano Pamela Dellal, who performed in the world premiere, will join the Contemporary Music Players for their performances in San Francisco.
John Harbison is best known for his cantata The Flight Into Egypt, for which he won a Pulitzer Prize in 1987; and for his opera The Great Gatsby, which was commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera and premiered to great acclaim in 1999.
Conductor Sara Jobin is a staff conductor at the San Francisco Opera, where she had the honor of being the first woman to conduct mainstage subscription concerts, including the world premiere of Philip Glass’s Appomattox, as well as productions of Tosca and Norma.
Now in its fourth season, the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players’ Contemporary Insights: Music and Conversation series is devoted to breaking down barriers between listeners and performers to enhance understanding and appreciation of new music. This piece will be performed on the following evening, October 5, at Herbst Theatre as part of the ensemble’s first concert of the season, “From the Top.”
PRICE: $10/$5
TICKETS: www.sfcmp.org
INFO: www.sfcmp.org, 415-278-9566
Cost: $10