January 24, 2009

Wolfgang von Schweinitz
U.S. premiere

"[Plainsound Glissando Modulation is] one of the most outstanding works of the middle generation of composers today." Manfred Karullus, MusikTexte

The German composer has been long celebrated for the impassioned eloquence and rare lyrical beauty of his music. More recently, von Schweinitz has turned to a profound exploration of microtonal phenomena in a body of work whose newest opus is this evening's sublime Plainsound Glissando Modulation, a raga in just intonation for violin and double bass. Receiving its U.S. debut, the monumental composition is played with consummate artistry by violinist Helge Slaatto and bassist Frank Reinecke, the virtuoso duo who last year recorded the 75-minute raga for Bayerische Rundfunk. The concert opens with Erika Duke-Kirkpatrick's performance of Plainsound-Litany, for solo cello. Von Schweinitz, whose extensive oeuvre includes the visionary 1989 opera Patmos--a setting of the Book of Revelation--holds the Roy E. Disney Family Chair in Musical Composition at CalArts.

Made possible by support from Villa Aurora, Goethe-Institut Los Angeles, and the Consulate General of Norway. Funded in part with generous support from Abby Sher.

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