In Transit: #iwitness

Pre-concert reception at 6pm

A year and a half ago, Farid was just an average young artist in Egypt. He shared his art and his inspirations freely on his Tumblr blog, and started to experiment with Twitter. Just as he was discovering his voice, a series of revolutionary events all over the Middle East made Farid seriously wonder what kind of roles art and social media can take in changing the world.  Follow Farid as he witnesses and documents eighteen fast-paced days that sparked the Egyptian Revolution.  Social media, music and art come together in the fight for democracy.

Program

Heitor Villa Lobos -- Quintette en Forme a Choros

David Ludwig -- The Catherine Wheel

Ellen Taaffe Zwilich -- Divertimento

Robert Schumann -- Piano Quartet in Eb Major, Op. 47

The Mars Volta/John Dorhauer -- The Widow (* world premiere--winner of our 2011 Young Composer Competition)

The music for #iwitness is truly diverse, reflecting a complex tale of transformation. Schumann's lush Piano Quartet in Eb Major, Op. 47 is a chamber music classic, filled with compelling melodies and resplendent rhythms. Ellen Taaffe Zwilich, the first female composer to win the Pulitzer Prize (1983), brings a more modern edge to the table. Her striking Divertimento for four instruments is paired with the intricate Quintette en Forme a Choros by perennial 5HE favorite Heitor Villa-Lobos. Rounding out the program are two pieces by composers on the rise. The first of these is The Catherine Wheel, an evocative piece for the uncommon oboe quartet by Curtis Institute faculty member David Ludwig. Last, but not least, we are delighted to premiere an original arrangement of The Mars Volta's The Widow by John Dorhauer. John won our 2011 Young Composer's Competition, which challenged composers under 35 to cover rock tunes in a musically meaningful way.

Join us for a pre-concert reception at 6pm in the Garland Room (1st floor) featuring complimentary tastings from Goose Island Beer Company and Trader Joe's. To attend the reception, you must RSVP to this event.

Check out our website for more information on this show and our series.