Making their European debut as curators of the Classical:NEXT 2019 Opening, National Sawdust present National Sawdust: Hear It New! The innovative contemporary classical venue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, promise to bring a series of high-calibre performances and electrifying new compositional voices to the stage.
Curated by composer and National Sawdust co-founder and artistic director Paola Prestini and produced by director of National Sawdust Projects Holly Hunter, the Opening will feature acclaimed cellist Amanda Gookin performing a piece from her feminist work Forward Music Project, composer and National Sawdust Hildegard Award–winner Emma O’Halloran’s composition 'Constellations' performed by members of the Young Doelen Ensemble, and a specially commissioned short film, 'Kipatsi, Nija, Añaantsi' (Land, Water, Life), directed by filmmaker Murat Eyuboglu, with a live performance by Peruvian composer/performer Pauchi Sasaki.
The Forward Music Project is a piece driven by social justice for girls and women. Seven composers were commissioned to write pieces for solo cello based on their personal story or an issue they wanted to bring to light. The stylistically contrasting compositions represent the vast diversity of the female experience, ranging from issues of the LGBTQ+ community and reproductive rights to sexual violence and empowerment.
Emma O’Halloran won the Hildegard Competition in June 2018 with her piece, Constellations, premiered at National Sawdust by the Refugee Orchestra, soprano Madeline Healey, conducted by Lidiya Yankovskaya.
Additionally, 'The Amazon' is a documentary feature and live performing arts event examining the Amazon River Basin from social and ecological perspectives across history. Kipatsi, Nija, Añaantsi is the first short film from The Amazon series and focuses on the Asháninka people of present-day Peru and Brazil. Composer, performer, improviser, and instrument builder Pauchi Sasaki will compose original music to accompany this short from the feature film. Sasaki is known for her interdisciplinary approach to composition and takes influence from improvisational aesthetics and ethnic traditions.
About National Sawdust:
National Sawdust is a women-led innovative contemporary classical venue, committed to introducing audiences to new artists and artists to new audiences. The performance venue and recording studio focuses on discovery, building new audiences for classical and contemporary music by providing resources and support to emerging and established artists and composers.
Photo credit: Ryan Scherb
article posted by:Francisco Gonçalves Silva, Piranha Arts