The music of the Canadian composer Claude Vivier (1948-1983) combines diverse influences–from the the cerebral constructions of the European avant-garde to exoticist borrowings from East Asia– into a haunting and inimitable artistic voice. Vivier‘s intense and colorful music mirrors his life as an eccentric and bon vivant who met a tragic death at the age of 34. The Arcana New Music Ensemble will perform a selection of this rarely performed music, ranging from the shatteringly virtuosic piano work Shiraz to the ritualistic intonations of Et je reverrai cette ville étrange (“And I will see this strange city again”), which is based, like much of his music, on the unfolding elaboration of a single melodic line.

PROGRAM

Greeting Music
Nicholas Handahl, flute
Evan Ocheret, oboe
Erin Busch, cello
David Hughes, piano
Andy Thierauf, percussion

Hymnen An Die Nacht
Alize Rozsnyai, soprano
David Hughes, piano

Shiraz
David Hughes, piano

Pulau Dewata
David Hughes, piano
Andy Thierauf, percussion
Ashley Tini, percussion

Et Je Reverrai Cette Ville Étrange
Tessa Ellis, trumpet
Emma Hey, viola
Erin Busch, cello
Davi Ciriaco, bass
David Hughes, piano
Andy Thierauf, percussion