Postmodern FLUTE Project 2024-2034
Voice is a particular sound made by something with a soul;
for nothing which does not have a soul has a voice. Aristotle, De Anima
Concert for flute, electroacoustic music and voice
Guest artist: Carla López Speziale, mezzosoprano
Mexican flute virtuoso Alejandro Escuer is coming back to NYC after many years of tours, recordings and concerts, including several premieres for flute and orchestra dedicated to him. In this occasion, you will have a unique opportunity to listen to a highly original program for solo flute and electroacoustic mixed pieces that gather some of the most intriguing, controversial and expressive composers of the contemporary classical world, including the now famous Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz (b. Mexico 1964) with an evocative piece for amplified flute, voice and violoncello that will be performed along with Carla López Speziale. In the program it is also listed a piece done by cutting and editing recording sound tapes by hand based on a rare interview of Billie Holiday matching Billie´s spoken words with flute melodies and intricate rhythms by Dutch composer Jacob ter Veldhuis (b. Netherlands 1951). It also includes music by Alejandro Escuer, for example a piece called Dreaming the End of War (2023), a moving work inspired by the interdisciplinary collective project called Can We Know the Sound of Forgiveness https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2024/10/18/Can-We-Know-the-Sound-of-Forgiveness-0730PM; you will also hear Manuel Rocha Iturbide (b. México 1963) Semi no Koe based on the hypnotic sound of Japanese cicadas and how insects could easily take over our planet facing climate change; the world premiere of Maquin-Son by Gonzalo Macías (b. México 1958), and Maquinaria (2015), a US premiere by Jorge Verdin (b. Los Angeles 1965-2024) who was known under the pseudonym of Clorofila, for he was also a member of Nortech, a Norteño-Techno music project born in Tijuana. Both pieces, Maquin-Son and Maquinaria reflect on how technology and machines help but also alienate and destroy humans. Postmodern Flute Project starts this year and will continue for several years with new pieces, commissions and premieres until 2034, when the flutist plans to dedicate his time fully to composing. This first concert will be without a doubt one of the most eclectic, contrasting and interesting of its kind.