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)

Matt Mehlan and I hang out (so does Matt's cat) at his house for a wonderful chat over coffees.  We talk about Matt's life as a composer, band member (Skeletons),teacher, guy who likes to live in the space where he works (the Silent Barn), his Easy/ Not Easy concerts, and more.  Matt causally drops lots of knowledge and I love it!  You also hear some tunes from the new Skeletons record.  Get it! (https://skeletonstv.bandcamp.com)

5 Days with Matt Mehlan

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

5 Days with Matt Mehlan

5 Days With Doug

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