Live Performance by the University of Chicago New Music Ensemble
Fulton Recital Hall, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
November 6th, 2016

Jessica Aszodi, soprano; Emma Hospelhorn, flute; Katie Schoepflin, clarinet; Doyle Armbrust, viola; Russell Rolen, cello; Daniel Pesca, piano;  Doug Perkins, percussion; Barbara Schubert, conductor

Program Note:
This setting of a poem by Mary Kaiser explores contradictions between opaqueness and clarity, tangible experience and insubstantial memory, and inky, black night  and morning light. The ensemble begins in a homogenous, blended mass. Individual instrumental strands emerge as the singer begins to question the solidity of the vision she describes. After the dreamy haze completely dissipates, the ensemble reforms into a new kind of homogeneity: a single melodic line punctuated by chimes unfurls during the speaker’s final reflections.

"He Dreams a Mother" by Mary Kaiser, from The Paradiso Shuffle, © 2011 Mary Kaiser�. Poem used by permission of the author. All rights reserved.

He Dreams a Mother (2016)

John Kennedy and I have a wonderful chat about his path as a conductor, composer, percussionist, and good musical citizen!  He shares some great stories about John Cage, Johanna Beyer, Spoleto, conducting opera and much more.  Enjoy!  

Music from the episode are excerpts from John's pieces, Baghdad and First Deconstruction in Plastic.

5 Days with John Kennedy

Doug Perkins talks to people about how they get through their creative lives.  

5 Days with John Kennedy

5 Days With Doug

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