PREVIEW: The American Avant-Garde & Three Czech Artists

Since the early 1970s, the S.E.M. Ensemble has had an important presence in the American new music scene, which is often characterized as experimental or avant-garde. SEM’s association with composers such as John Cage, Julius Eastman, Morton Feldman and many others is part of the history of late 20th and early 21st century music in America. Most significant to this history are the founding of the Orchestra of the S.E.M. Ensemble in 1992, and the Institute and Festival Ostrava Days in 2001. Returning to the Bohemian National Hall on October 25th, the Orchestra of the S.E.M. Ensemble will perform music by American composers that have been closely associated with the work that SEM and its Artistic Director Petr Kotik have done both in Europe and the U.S. The violinist Hana Kotková and the composer and accordionist Lucie Vítková will join as soloists.

The Orchestra of the S.E.M. Ensemble

Hana Kotková, violin

Lucie Vítková, accordion

Petr Kotík, conductor

Program:

Phill Niblock: Exploratory, Rhine version "Looking for Daniel" (American premiere); For orchestra

Pauline Oliveros: From Unknown Silences (American premiere); From Four Meditations for Orchestra

Christian Wolff: Invisible Terrain (American premiere); For violin and orchestra

INTERMISSION

Petr Kotik: Wednesdays at RW on Spring Street (American premiere); For violin and orchestra

John Cage: Five; version for orchestra