The Miller Theatre Announces 2014-2015 Season - THE ORIGINAL COMPOSER PORTRAITS SERIES, BACH, REVISITED WITH A TWIST and More
By: BWW News Desk May. 14, 2014
Last fall, at the start of its twenty-fifth anniversary season, The New York Times lauded Miller Theatre at Columbia University for an "oversize influence on tastes and trends" and a "transformative impact on musical culture in New York City."
Miller Theatre is pleased to now announce its 2014-15 season, the fifth under the exuberant leadership of director Melissa Smey.
Since the beginning of her tenure, Smey has continued Miller's tradition of adventurous programming, while quietly steering Miller toward new territory-welcoming a stylistically eclectic mix of composers and ensembles, expanding Miller's leadership in community engagement, and "distinguishing itself by celebrating gifted female composers"(The New Yorker). This season's programming highlights a wealth of premieres. Smey has expanded Miller Theatre's commitment to the development of new works, integrating a commissioning program into its existing concert series. This season's Composer Portraits features two commissions from composers Chaya Czernowin and Augusta Read Thomas, both set to return for second Portraits at Miller. The series also includes multiple regional premieres and two brand new works by Keeril Makan and Missy Mazzoli. Smey has also, for the second time, commissioned a site-specific mural for the Miller lobby in collaboration with the Wallach Art Gallery. This year will feature the vibrant, technicolor work of Maya Hayuk, an Oz-like contrast after last year's black and white score-inspired mural by Vargas-Suarez Universal. See a complete list of commissions under Melissa Smey.
The revamped Bach, Revisited series returns for a second year amid critical acclaim for its "intriguing overhaul" (The New York Times), in which Bach's works are paired by prominent living composers alongside their own. This season features Michael Gordon, Helmut Lachenmann, and Sofia Gubaidulina. Ensemble Signal, one of the few groups capable of handling baroque and the avant-garde with equal deftness, serves as ensemble-in-residence for the series, and will be joined by the celebrated harpsichordist Kristian Bezuidenhout.
The Morningside Lights partnership with the Arts Initiative at Columbia-a series of participatory lantern-making workshops culminating in an eerily beautiful illuminated procession-will return as a beloved September tradition for campus and community. ThisHuffington Post video captures the magic of Morningside Lights, from workshop to parade.
Since the beginning of her tenure, Smey has continued Miller's tradition of adventurous programming, while quietly steering Miller toward new territory-welcoming a stylistically eclectic mix of composers and ensembles, expanding Miller's leadership in community engagement, and "distinguishing itself by celebrating gifted female composers"(The New Yorker). This season's programming highlights a wealth of premieres. Smey has expanded Miller Theatre's commitment to the development of new works, integrating a commissioning program into its existing concert series. This season's Composer Portraits features two commissions from composers Chaya Czernowin and Augusta Read Thomas, both set to return for second Portraits at Miller. The series also includes multiple regional premieres and two brand new works by Keeril Makan and Missy Mazzoli. Smey has also, for the second time, commissioned a site-specific mural for the Miller lobby in collaboration with the Wallach Art Gallery. This year will feature the vibrant, technicolor work of Maya Hayuk, an Oz-like contrast after last year's black and white score-inspired mural by Vargas-Suarez Universal. See a complete list of commissions under Melissa Smey.
The 2014-15 season also continues a trend, under Smey's leadership, of developing strong, multi-year relationships with performers across a variety of genres. For example, the Early Music and Jazz series both feature a lineup of audience favorites who have performed at Miller in seasons past, and return with exciting new repertoire. Miller also welcomes back to Composer Portraits such "alums" as International Contemporary Ensemble, Either/Or, JACK Quartet, Yarn/Wire, Third Coast Percussion, and Ensemble Signal.
Tickets for the 2014-15 season go on sale this summer.
Subscriptions are available online at www.millertheatre.com starting July 8.
Subscriptions are available online at www.millertheatre.com starting July 8.
The Box Office opens for phone and in-person sales on August 25.
Single tickets will also be available starting August 25.
Miller's signature series since 1999
AUGUSTA READ THOMAS: premiere-studded program features a
Miller-commissioned octet for JACK and Third Coast Percussion
STEFANO GERVASONI: a rare hearing of the Italian star's "delirious" music
CHOU WEN-CHUNG: this living link to Varèse is a Columbia legend & mentor
to a legion of Chinese-American composers
CHAYA CZERNOWIN: Steven Schick and ICE explore the quirky beauty of the
Israeli composer's sonic landscapes, with 2 world premieres
KEERIL MAKAN: Either/Or performs 2 premieres of his powerfully emotional music
MISSY MAZZOLI: the heralded Brooklynite writes a new string quartet for ETHEL
ANNA CLYNE: Signal showcases the dazzlingly inventive works of the young Brit
BERNARD RANDS: 80th birthday tribute features Anthony Roth Costanzo,
ICE, NY premiere of Rands' Folk Songs BACH, REVISITED WITH A TWIST
Major living composers present their work in the context of Bach masterpieces
Ensemble Signal serves as ensemble-in-residence
Two concerts feature star harpsichordist Kristian Bezuidenhout
MICHAEL GORDON pairs 2 premieres with 2 Bach concertos
HELMUT LACHENMANN responds to Bach's epic solo string works
SOFIA GUBAIDULINA's music embraces the rigor and spirituality of Bach EARLY MUSIC: FIVE MAJOR INTL GROUPS RETURN
LE POÈME HARMONIQUE (Rouen)
NEW YORK POLYPHONY (New York City)
TALLIS SCHOLARS (London)
STILE ANTICO (London)
LES DÉLICES (Cleveland) THE WIDE-RANGING JAZZ SERIES
LIONEL LOUEKE TRIO
CYRUS CHESTNUT TRIO
RENEE ROSNES QUARTET
AARON DIEHL QUARTET YEAR 3 OF POP-UP CONCERTS WITH AUDIENCE ON STAGE
"Close to the music" takes on new meaning with this spontaneous
& free series of hour-long early-evening concerts COMMUNITY TIES GROW WITH 3rd ANNUAL
MORNINGSIDE LIGHTS FESTIVAL: "ODYSSEUS ON THE A TRAIN"
Concept and direction by Processional Arts Workshop
Miller throws open the doors again this fall, inviting neighbors to join lantern-making and music workshops culminating in a spectacular illuminated parade Plus...
MAYA HAYUK: FROM THE CHEM TRAILS SERIES
Miller's 2nd Site-Specific Mural Commission
Miller Theatre commissions artist Maya Hayuk to transform Miller's lobby
into a 360-degree technicolor artwork
In collaboration with The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Gallery
Single tickets will also be available starting August 25.
Highlights
OPENING NIGHT WITH EIGHTH BLACKBIRD
Heart & Breath, an immersive concert fantasy, juxtaposes
contemporary music with the Italian Baroque and commedia dell'arte
Miller's signature series since 1999
AUGUSTA READ THOMAS: premiere-studded program features a
Miller-commissioned octet for JACK and Third Coast Percussion
STEFANO GERVASONI: a rare hearing of the Italian star's "delirious" music
CHOU WEN-CHUNG: this living link to Varèse is a Columbia legend & mentor
to a legion of Chinese-American composers
CHAYA CZERNOWIN: Steven Schick and ICE explore the quirky beauty of the
Israeli composer's sonic landscapes, with 2 world premieres
KEERIL MAKAN: Either/Or performs 2 premieres of his powerfully emotional music
MISSY MAZZOLI: the heralded Brooklynite writes a new string quartet for ETHEL
ANNA CLYNE: Signal showcases the dazzlingly inventive works of the young Brit
BERNARD RANDS: 80th birthday tribute features Anthony Roth Costanzo,
ICE, NY premiere of Rands' Folk Songs BACH, REVISITED WITH A TWIST
Major living composers present their work in the context of Bach masterpieces
Ensemble Signal serves as ensemble-in-residence
Two concerts feature star harpsichordist Kristian Bezuidenhout
MICHAEL GORDON pairs 2 premieres with 2 Bach concertos
HELMUT LACHENMANN responds to Bach's epic solo string works
SOFIA GUBAIDULINA's music embraces the rigor and spirituality of Bach EARLY MUSIC: FIVE MAJOR INTL GROUPS RETURN
LE POÈME HARMONIQUE (Rouen)
NEW YORK POLYPHONY (New York City)
TALLIS SCHOLARS (London)
STILE ANTICO (London)
LES DÉLICES (Cleveland) THE WIDE-RANGING JAZZ SERIES
LIONEL LOUEKE TRIO
CYRUS CHESTNUT TRIO
RENEE ROSNES QUARTET
AARON DIEHL QUARTET YEAR 3 OF POP-UP CONCERTS WITH AUDIENCE ON STAGE
"Close to the music" takes on new meaning with this spontaneous
& free series of hour-long early-evening concerts COMMUNITY TIES GROW WITH 3rd ANNUAL
MORNINGSIDE LIGHTS FESTIVAL: "ODYSSEUS ON THE A TRAIN"
Concept and direction by Processional Arts Workshop
Miller throws open the doors again this fall, inviting neighbors to join lantern-making and music workshops culminating in a spectacular illuminated parade Plus...
MAYA HAYUK: FROM THE CHEM TRAILS SERIES
Miller's 2nd Site-Specific Mural Commission
Miller Theatre commissions artist Maya Hayuk to transform Miller's lobby
into a 360-degree technicolor artwork
In collaboration with The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Gallery
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