Bang on a Can
With an ear for the new, the unknown, and the unconventional, Bang on a Can strives to expose worldwide audiences to exciting and innovative music.
About the Residency
The Bang on a Can All-Stars, known for combining “the power and punch of a rock band with the precision and clarity of a chamber ensemble” (New York Times), celebrated Steve Reich’s 75th birthday and Bang on a Can’s 25th birthday with a concert featuring Reich, the All-Stars, and Nick Zammuto (formerly of The Books) as part of Bang on a Can’s ongoing residency at MIT. The concert included the Boston-area premiere of Reich’s recent double rock quintet 2×5, plus his Clapping Music, performed by the composer with Bang on a Can percussionist David Cossin, and Electric Counterpoint, performed by the All-Stars’ founding guitarist Mark Stewart.
A special preview performance of Bang on a Can’s Field Recordings, the ensemble’s newest multimedia, found sound inspired performance project, had its world premiere at the Barbican Centre in London and its US premiere in New York at Lincoln Center. Joining the All-Stars onstage to perform Field Recordings was Nick Zammuto, who has developed a strong following for his highly original work as a songwriter and sound-collage artist. His band The Books released several well-received albums, including Thought for Food, The Lemon of Pink, Lost and Safe, and The Way Out between 2002 and 2010. His new band, called simply Zammuto, released a self-titled debut album in 2012.
Presented by the MIT Visiting Artist Program, Music and Theater Arts and the MIT Concerts Office, with support from the MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.
Schedule
Past Events
Composers Forum with Julia Wolfe
November 11, 2012
Julia Wolfe’s Steel Hammer and Michael Gordon’s Timber
November 10, 2011
Steve Reich Lecture, My Own Field Recordings, with Responses from Composer
March 9, 2012
Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Steve Reich discussed his own sample-based compositions It’s Gonna Rain, Different Trains, WTC 9/11, in conversation with Bang on a Can Field Recordings composers Tyondai Braxton, Florentt Ghys, Michael Gordon, Julia Wolfe, Nick Zammuto, and Evan Ziporyn.
Bang on a Can All Stars and Nick Zammuto
March 10, 2012
Boston area Premiere of Steve Reich’s 2×5, Electric Counterpoint, and Clapping Music performed by Reich. Special preview performance of Bang on a Can’s Field Recordings with music by Tyondai Braxton, Florent Ghys, Nick Zammuto, Christian Marclay, Mira Calix, Michael Gordon, David Lang, Julia Wolfe, and Evan Ziporyn.
Mark Stewart Demonstrates Original Instruments to Chamber Music Society
March 8, 2012
Mark Stewart Demonstrates Original Instruments to Intro to Music Composition
March 7, 2012
Mark Stewart Demonstrates Original Instruments to Chamber Music Society
March 7, 2012
Instrument Building Workshop
February 15-17, 2012
Instrument Building Workshop
January 12, 2012
Trio Mediaeval visits Folk Music of the British Isles
November 10, 2011
Exploratory Research
Readings of Student Compositions for Solo Instrument
October 24, 2011
Individual Coaching of Chamber Music Students
October 24, 2011
Instrument Building Workshop
October 24, 2011
Collaborators at MIT
Evan Ziporyn, Kenan Sahin Distinguished Professor of Music in the MIT Department of Music and Theater Arts and Faculty Director of the MIT Center for Art, Science & Technology
Biography
Founded in 1992 by Michael Gordon, David Lang and Julia Wolfe, the Bang on a Can All-Stars quickly forged a distinct identity and have come to be known worldwide for their ultra-dynamic live performances and recordings of today’s most innovative music. Freely crossing the boundaries among classical, jazz, rock, world and experimental music, the six-member amplified ensemble from New York defies categories, plays music from uncharted territories, and has shattered the definition of what concert music is today.
More at the artist’s website: Bang on a Can.
In the Media
The New York Times: Review of Bang on a Can’s November 2011 Carnegie Hall Concert
The Village Voice: Live: The Bang On a Can Marathon Turns 25 with Six Pianos, a Cosmic Drum Circle, and Someone Sitting in a Room
Lost Angeles Times: Music review: Steve Reich’s 75th birthday concert at Disney Hall
The New York TImes: The John Henry Who Might Have Been
YouTube: Bang on a Can Channel
