EARPLAY 21: Transitions

Mon, Sep 26
7 PM; pre-concert lecture at 6:15 PM
$10-25

EARPLAY, new chamber music, launches its 21st annual season with
EARPLAY 21: Transitions, featuring four premieres in its new home,
Herbst Theatre at its new time of 7 PM on Monday, September 26 with
an all American program of premieres of works composed between
1997-2005. Bay Area audiences will hear current American styles and
voices inspired by natural elements including water, fire, and life
cycles. Special guest artist is Bay Area cabaret songsmith Wesla
Whitfield in a special performance of Stephen Michael Gryc's Dream
Vegetables.

EARPLAY commissioned a new work by Bruce Christian Bennett (Fromm
Music Foundation commission award recipient) titled: from the ashes
(World premiere). Inspired by the myth of the Phoenix - from the
ashes follows the cycle of destruction and rebirth to reveal what is
born out of catastrophe. Mary Chun conducts the large ensemble work
and comments Bruce's previous works are ferociously lyrical with
challenging and dynamic elements inspiring us to request a work
written for Earplay.

In contrast, A Veil Barely Seen (West Coast premiere) by Frances
White (New Jersey) is an atmospheric virtuoso soundscape featuring
Ellen Ruth Rose, for viola and electronics inspired by woodland
waterfalls. The viola with its rich sounds in the lower register is
rarely heard as a solo instrument.

Ralph Shapey's Sonata Number 2 for Violin and Piano (West Coast
premiere) is an intense and rigorous composition that highlights the
virtuoso skills of the violinist Terrie Baune and pianist Karen
Rosenak. Though rarely performed, Shapey is recognized as a master
American composer with an individual voice.

Raised in the Bay Area, Connecticut-based composer Stephen Michael
Gryc's whimsical and clever Dream Vegetables (Bay Area premiere) will
bring a lighter note to the evening with guest artist Wesla
Whitfield. Gryc creates a charming and beautiful setting for American
poetry in the spoken-word tradition.

Mary Chun conducts the Earplayers, a group of six outstanding Bay
Area musicians: Tod Brody, flute and piccolo; Peter Josheff, clarinet
and bass clarinet; Terrie Baune, violin; Ellen Ruth Rose, viola;
Thalia Moore, cello, and Karen Rosenak, piano. In September,
exceptional Bay Area artists, Wesla Whitfield, voice, and Kevin
Neuhoff, percussion, join them.

EARPLAY has performed over 400 works in its 20-year history including
104 world premieres and 45 new works commissioned by the ensemble.
This season will reinforce EARPLAY's unwavering track record of
presenting exceptional music in the 21st century.

Founded in 1985 by a consortium of composers and musicians, Earplay
is dedicated to the performance of new chamber music offering
audiences a unique opportunity to hear eloquent, vivid performances
of some of today's finest chamber music. Earplay concerts feature
the Earplayers, a group of seven artists who, as a group, have
developed a lyrical and ferocious style. For more information,
please visit www.earplay.org.

Venue:

Herbst Theatre
401 Van Ness Ave. at McAllister
San Francisco
415-392-4400
http://www.cityboxoffice.com

Additional Info:

415-585-9776
http://www.earplay.org