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Austin360 blogs > Austin Arts: Seeing Things > Archives > 2009 > April > 01
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Explore Austin’s other live music scene
We’re in the midst of a five-week project exploring Austin’s ‘other’ live music scene — classical music. Recent coverage: New Opera: ‘The Color of Dissonance’ | Critic’s Picks | UT New Music Ensemble
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Austin’s ‘other’ new music scene
The University of Texas’ marketing motto may be “what starts here changes the world,” but sometimes it seems like that “world” might be every place but Austin.
Though the city has grown much over the last decades, the town and gown divide in Austin can still feel profound. Particularly in the world of classical music. Yet, we’re lucky to have a growing tribe of musicians, separate from the university, out there writing composed music, looking for inventive ways to bring it to people.
Last night at the UT New Music Ensemble, I caught up with Graham Reynolds, who was taking a night off and taking some music in. Interestingly, Reynolds has a couple of commissions for new works that will debut April 26, and both are commissions from UT.
UT vocal professor Darlene Wily asked Reynolds for a song cycle suited for emerging talents — something young singers in high school or early undergraduate years might be able to use for recitals. Reynolds in turn tapped the talents of poet Carrie Fountain and the two created “Between Steel and Stardust” a song cycle about famous Texas women from Barbara Jordan and the Angel of Goliad to cosmetics queen Mary Kay Ash.
Also premiering on the April 26 concert is a trio for double reeds which will be played UT faculty Rebecca Henderson and Kristen Jensen with a piano accompaniest.
To content yourself until the new premieres, here’s ‘DSCH,’ Reynolds poignant and beautiful tribute to piece to Dmitri Shoshtakovich.
- ‘DSCH,’ by Graham Reynolds. From The Tick Tock Club, Golden Arm Trio (Shamrock Records)
Graham Reynolds at UT New Music Ensemble concert.
