{"id":100549,"date":"2023-11-24T17:22:19","date_gmt":"2023-11-24T22:22:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=100549"},"modified":"2023-11-24T17:22:19","modified_gmt":"2023-11-24T22:22:19","slug":"preview-21c-music-festival-brings-new-music-luminaries-toronto-january-may","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2023\/11\/24\/preview-21c-music-festival-brings-new-music-luminaries-toronto-january-may\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | 21C Music Festival Brings New Music Luminaries To Toronto January To May"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_100551\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-100551\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-100551\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Copy-of-PREVIEW-25.jpg\" alt=\"Clockwise fr top left: Bridget Kibbey; Brad Mehldau; Kronos Quartet; Fazil Say; Lara St. John; Laurie Anderson; Brian Current (All photos courtesy of the artists\/RCM)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Copy-of-PREVIEW-25.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Copy-of-PREVIEW-25-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Copy-of-PREVIEW-25-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/11\/Copy-of-PREVIEW-25-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-100551\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Clockwise fr top left: Bridget Kibbey; Brad Mehldau; Kronos Quartet; Fazil Say; Lara St. John; Laurie Anderson; Brian Current (All photos courtesy of the artists\/RCM)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The 11th version of the 21C Music Festival kicks off on January 19, wrapping up months later in May after a diverse line-up of Canadian and international artists, including return appearances by Laurie Anderson and the Kronos Quartet.<\/p>\n<p>Five of the offerings will take place in January 2024, with two of the major events pushed to April and May due to the busy schedules of the artists involved.<\/p>\n<h2>The 21C Festival 2024<\/h2>\n<p>We spoke to the RCM\u2019s Executive Director of Performing Arts Mervon Mehta to take a look at the eclectic offerings of this year\u2019s 21C.<\/p>\n<h3>Festival Of New Music<\/h3>\n<p>The festival offers Toronto audiences the chance to refresh their ears with new music. Here are some of the offerings:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>More than 14 premieres: 1 world (Sebastian Currier: Ongoingness) and 13 Canadian (Laurie Anderson\u2019s Statue of Liberty, Valerie Coleman\u2019s Danza de la mariposa, Chaya Czernowin\u2019s Habekhi (The Crying), Melissa Dunphy\u2019s Kommos, Pierre Jodlowski\u2019s Respire, Adah Kaplan\u2019s Whitewashed, Gabriela Lena Frank\u2019s \u201cLuciernagas\u201d from Suite Mestiza, Tania Le\u00f3n\u2019s Ind\u00edgena, \u017dibuokl\u0117 Martinaityt\u0117\u2019s Ping Pong Concerto, Brad Mehldau\u2019s 14 Reveries for Piano, Jessica Meyer\u2019s Confronting the Sky, Jessie Montgomery\u2019s Rhapsody No. 2, and Milica Paranosic\u2019s Bubamara).<\/li>\n<li>The works of 3 Canadian composers: Sophie-Carmen Eckhardt Gramatt\u00e9\u2019s Caprice # 1: Die Kranke und die Uhr and Caprice # 5: Danse Marocaine, Ana Sokolovi\u0107\u2019s Danza # 2, and works by Nicole Liz\u00e9e);<\/li>\n<li>Performances by 8 Canadian artists and ensembles (conductor Brian Current, mezzo-soprano Beste Kalender, narrator Mervon Mehta, violist Barry Shiffman, violinists Lara and Scott St. John, and cellist Winona Zelenka).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em>Fazil Say performs Gezi Park 2:<\/em><\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/r_85D92lkAA?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>Fazil Say and Friends (January 19)<\/h3>\n<p>Turkish pianist Fazil Say is known not only for his interpretations of works from the classical repertoire, but his own compositions. He\u2019ll be performing his pieces for solo piano, voice, and chamber ensemble, including Gezi Park 2 and 3, The Moving Mansion, as well as a selection of songs and piano jazz fantasies on Gershwin\u2019s \u201cSummertime,\u201d Mozart\u2019s the Rondo alla turca, and Paganini Jazz<\/p>\n<p>His collaborators will include Turkish-Canadian mezzo-soprano (and RCM alumna) Beste Kalender, violinists Lara and Scott St. John, violist Barry Shiffman (also Director of The Taylor Academy and Associate Dean &amp; Director of Chamber Music at The Glenn Gould School), and cellist Winona Zelenka, (currently Assistant Principal Cellist of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra).<\/p>\n<p>Mervon had encountered Fazil Say many times, and he\u2019s appeared at Koerner Hall before, often playing his own work in a larger programme of classical music. It was Mehta\u2019s suggestion to put together a concert entirely of his own work.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe&#8217;s an extraordinary composer,\u201d Mervon says, describing his pieces as a blend of Western classical, Turkish folk music and jazz. Mezzo-soprano Beste Kalender, with her Turkish background, was also his suggestion.<\/p>\n<h3>Lara St. John: \u2640she\/her\/hers (January 20)<\/h3>\n<p>Canadian violinist Lara St. John has garnered attention both for her artistry and her activism. Her album\u2640she\/her\/hers was released in 2022, and featuring original work for solo violin by 12 different composers, including world premieres by Milica Paranosic, Micheline Coulombe St. Marcoux, Laura de Rover, Melissa Dunphy, and Adah Kaplan, along with pieces by Laurie Anderson, Valerie Coleman, Gabriela Lena Frank, Jessica Meyer, Jessie Montgomery, and Ana Sokolovi\u0107. The recording is part of her mission to fight for the rights of women and marginalized groups, sparked by her own experiences with sexual abuse as a teenager.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SSkUvHj-KLo?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>21C Afterhours: Ind\u00edgena (January 20)<\/h3>\n<p>Conductor and award-winning composer Brian Current leads the Glenn Gould School\u2019s New Music Ensemble in an adventurous programme for an evening performance. The title piece, Tania Le\u00f3n\u2019s Ind\u00edgena, is a work for large ensemble. The concert will also include Respire, by Pierre Jodlowski in collaboration with dance company Myriam Naisy, Chaya Czernowin&#8217;s Habekhi (The Crying) for mezzo-soprano and electronics, and \u017dibuokl\u0117 Martinaityt\u0117&#8217;s playful Ping Pong Concerto.<\/p>\n<h3>Bridget Kibbey with the Calidore String Quartet &amp; Mervon Mehta (January 21)<\/h3>\n<p>Acclaimed harpist Bridget Kibbey is joined by New York\u2019s Calidore String Quartet, with Mervon Mehta stepping in as narrator, in a programme that includes a new commission for harp and quartet by Sebastian Currier titled Ongoingness. Mervon will narrate Poe\u2019s classic Masque of the Red Death, and the concert will continue the Poe theme with Andr\u00e9 Caplet\u2019s harp quintet inspired by the same story.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHow cheeky of me to book myself,\u201d Mervon laughs. \u201cI&#8217;m a ham at best.\u201d He and Bridget Kibbey, with a different string quartet, had already performed Poe\u2019s piece at another music festival. It was so much fun, however, they vowed to do it again. \u201cIt&#8217;s very juicy to narrate.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI asked her to put together a whole programme of harp music,\u201d he says. As it turns out, the Caligore String Quartet are headquartered down the street from Bridget\u2019s home in New York.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSomeone has called her the Yo-Yo Ma of the harp, but she is really a fascinating artist,\u201d he says. \u201cWe&#8217;ve never done a harp concert, per se,\u201d he notes. Bridget will also conduct master classes with harp students while she\u2019s in town.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/H3swFtsF4KI?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/div>\n<h3>Brad Mehldau: 14 Reveries (January 27)<\/h3>\n<p>Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist Brad Mehldau will perform solo for an evening that includes a piece commissioned by The Royal Conservatory, Wigmore Hall (London), Cal Performances (UC Berkeley), and Carnegie Hall. The title work, 14 Reveries, is based on the notion of interior experiences. It will be the piece\u2019s Canadian premiere.<\/p>\n<p>Mehldau has performed several times at Koerner Hall in the past. The world premiere of the commissioned piece took place at Wigmore Hall in London. \u201cIt&#8217;s based on French Impressionistic music and French Impressionistic Art,\u201d Mehta says. He first came across the noted jazz pianist years ago working in the United States. \u201cI remember being floored by him,\u201d he recalls.<\/p>\n<p>For the second half of the concert, he\u2019ll play pieces from his album Suite: April 2020, along with pieces he\u2019ll announce from the stage.<\/p>\n<h3>Laurie Anderson (April 5)<\/h3>\n<p>Laurie Anderson will return for another captivating performance. Her appearance at the 21C Festival in January 2020 performing The Art of Falling was nothing short of magical, and audiences can expect the unexpected from this always interesting artist.<\/p>\n<p>Laurie\u2019s last appearance at 21C was a residency that lasted a week. \u201cShe was here for a bit, and was very generous,\u201d he recalls. \u201cShe&#8217;s incredibly busy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The process for working with Anderson is different from most. She discusses the engagement with Mehta, and then considers the performance for a few months before deciding on exactly what she\u2019ll bring. The lack of details hasn\u2019t hurt ticket sales. \u201cWe&#8217;re almost sold out,\u201d Mervon reports.<\/p>\n<h3>Kronos Quartet: Five Decades (May 9)<\/h3>\n<p>San Francisco\u2019s Kronos Quartet is celebrating five decades of championing new music, and they make a return visit to 21C with a programme that includes pieces by Nicole Liz\u00e9e, Terry Riley, Peni Candra Rini, and Aleksandra Vrebalov. The ensemble is also celebrating their newest member, cellist Paul Wiancko. The other members include founder and violinist David Harrington, and longtime members John Sherba (violin) and Hank Dutt (viola).<\/p>\n<p>Kronos has appeared at 21C several times. \u201cWe&#8217;ve been part of their commissioning projects,\u201d he says. \u201cThey feel a real loyalty to us.\u201d Mehta mentions that he presented the innovative ensemble in Philadelphia and elsewhere earlier in his career.<\/p>\n<p>He mentions their seminal <a href=\"https:\/\/50ftf.kronosquartet.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">50 For The Future Project<\/a>, which makes new string quartets available for free, along with notes and instructive material. \u201cIt\u2019s an unprecedented act of generosity,\u201d he says. \u201cThey&#8217;ve a 50 year legacy.\u201d<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Tickets and more information about 21C and all the concerts available [<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rcmusic.com\/performance\/21c-music-festival\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>].<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><em>Are you looking to promote an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/advertising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a\"><u>event<\/u><\/span><\/a>? 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