A unique evening celebrating the dynamism, innovativeness and diversity of contemporary American music.
Harold Meltzer's Toccata No. 6 as played by acclaimed Iranian-American harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani will provide evidence of the enduring search for the nature of American music. The festival will present the world premiere of this composition. The diversity of contemporary American music will be underlined by the presentation of Lou Harrison and Henry Cowell's compositions inspired by early colonial traditions and the iconic Music for 18 Musicians by Steve Reich, who used his specific American energy to redefine the musical language once and for all. Other performers of the three-hour marathon are the Prague Minimal Orchestra of Jan Rybář, violinist Antje Weithaas and flautist Kristýna Farag.
Program:
19:00 - 20:30
Mahan Esfahani – harpsichord / piano
Lou Harrison: Six Sonatas (1943)
Henry Cowell: Set of Four (1961)
Harold Meltzer: Six Toccatas (2019, world premiere)
intermission
Walter Piston: Sonata for Violin and Piano (1946), guest: Antje Weithaas
Mel Powell: Recitative and Toccata percossa (1951)
Steve Reich: Piano Phase (1968) authorised cembalo version for harpsichord Mahana Esfahaniho
intermission
21:00 - 22:30
Steve Reich: Vermont Counterpoint
Kristýna Farag – flute and sound track
Steve Reich: Music for 18 musicians
Prague Minimal Orchestra, Jan Rybář
Organized by the Strings of Autumn IMF as part of Offstrings, Prague Music Performance, Hudba v souvislostech and the Archa Theatre.
