2014-2015 Season
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New Discoveries, Old Favorites Oct. 3-5, 2014, Studio Z Zeitgeist kicks off the 2014-15 season with the debut of the ensemble’s newest member, pianist Nicola Melville. A concert of favorites both old and new, the season opener features the world premiere of From Afar, the Dragon Calls by Minnesota composer Jeff Lambert, new music by Justin Rubin, Joshua Harris and Doug Opel, and long-treasured works from Eleanor Hovda and George Crumb. Works include: Jeff Lambert: From Afar, the Dragon Calls Eleanor Hovda: If Tigers Were Clouds George Crumb: Mundus Canis Joshua Harris: OCT 21 2015 Doug Opel: Playtime with Elvis and Krispy Mike Olson: Breathing Voltages Justin Rubin: The armed man should be feared… and other lessons from the Renaissance 6th Annual New Music Cabaret Nov. 6-9, 2014, Studio Z A four-day festival of new music from multiple genres, Zeitgeist’s 6th Annual New Music Cabaret highlights cutting-edge performances from the fringe of the Twin Cities music scene. An eclectic mix of the music of our time, this year’s cabaret includes performances by Zeitgeist with Nirmala Rajasekar & Thanjavur Muruga Boopathi, ANCIA Saxophone Quartet, Nautilus Music Theater, Steve Kenny Quartet, Ted Moore’s Gilgamesh and Enkidu, and more. Nov. 6 Young Performer Showcase Enkidu String Quartet: Ted Moore's Gilgamesh & Enkidu Zeitgeist w/ Nirmala Rajasekar & Thanjavur Muruga Boopathi Nautilus Music-Theater Nov. 7 Young Performer Showcase Struck Percussion Zeitgeist w/ Nirmala Rajasekar & Thanjavur Muruga Boopathi Steve Kenny Quartet Nov. 8 Young Performer Showcase ANCIA Saxophone Quartet Zeitgeist w/ Nirmala Rajasekar & Thanjavur Muruga Boopathi Source Code Nov. 9 Skeleton Crew Zeitgeist w/ Nirmala Rajasekar & Thanjavur Muruga Boopathi Yohannes Tona Playing it Close to Home March 13-14, 2015, Studio Z March 15, 2015, University of Northwestern With winning songs from our Eric Stokes Song Contest plus music by local composer Abbie Betinis, our annual Playing it Close to Home concert celebrates the wealth of musical creativity found right here in our own backyard. The program includes the world premiere of Betinis’s new work commissioned by Zeitgeist plus Nattsanger, her award-winning song cycle featuring guest soprano Alyssa Anderson. 5th Annual Early Music Festival: Stockhausen April 23-26, 2015, Studio Z Zeitgeist’s 5th Annual Early Music Festival explores the powerful contributions of our musical pioneers with a celebration of composer Karlheinz Stockhausen. One of the 20th century’s great visionaries, Stockhausen’s groundbreaking work in electronic and spatial music embraced new artistic possibilities and made a lasting impact on avant garde and popular music alike. From the Beatles to Björk, Stockhausen's music has influenced musicians of all stripes and continues shape new music today. As a group of musicians dedicated to the music of our time, Zeitgeist knows the most meaningful expressions of today are informed by the musical contributions of yesterday. The annual Early Music Festival honors that artistic debt with performances of influential and rarely-heard works by 20th century masters. Schedule: April 23-24 Gesang der Jünglinge Refrain Kreuzspiel Mikrophonie April 25 Harmonien (from Klang) Works from Freitag aus Licht, including Komet, Klavierstuck XVI, and Vibra Elufa Knabenduett Aus den Sieben Tagen Tierkreis April 26 Stimmung Ghost Camp May 29, 2015, Sundin Hall at Hamline University May 30, 2015, Wayzata Community Church Walt Whitman’s poetry contains a vivid recount of his time as a Civil War nurse. Minneapolis composer Craig Carnahan has based his large work, Ghost Camp, on these profound texts by one of America’s revered poets. Written for male chorus, narrator, piano, cello, clarinet, and percussion, The Singers are honored to present the world premiere of this moving work with musicians from the chamber ensemble Zeitgeist and narrator James Ramlet. Music by William Billings and settings of folk songs by Shawn Kirchner and others round out this last concert of The Singers-MCA 2014-2015 season. Tipping Point with Scott Miller June 12-14, 2015, Studio Z Celebrating 10 years of collaboration between Zeitgeist and composer Scott Miller, Zeitgeist looks back on a decade of artistic partnership with one of the Twin Cities' most adventurous composers. The event marks the release of Miller’s new album Tipping Point with music from the CD and the reprise of Shape Shifting: Shades of Transformation, a lush electro-acoustic musical landscape with sensuous poetry by Phillipe Costaglioli. Guest artists include soprano Tracey Engleman, the return of Zeitgeist veteran pianist Shannon Wettstein (sitting in for Nicola Melville), and an encore performance on June 13 by electroacoustic improvisation ensemble Fifth Column (Scott Miller & Brett Wartchow, electronics; Pat O’Keefe & Nathan Hanson, woodwinds; Erik Fratzke, guitars). June 12 Forth and Back Tipping Point Twilight Rubber Band, Man for solo marimba (world premiere) June 13 Suite from Shape Shifting: Shades of Transformation Forth and Back Special encore appearance by Fifth Column June 14 Pure Pleasure (solo work for Patti Cudd) Fun House (solo work for Pat O’Keefe) New work for solo marimba (world premiere) Consortia Twilight |
