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Thursday, December 11, 2014

In Context: VIJAY IYER: Music of Transformation


VIJAY IYER: Music of Transformation runs at BAM from December 18—20. Context is everything, so get even closer to the show with this curated selection of articles, interviews, and videos related to the production. Once you've seen it, help us keep the conversation going by telling us what you thought below.

Program Notes


Read

Interview
"Vijay Iyer: Transformer" (BAM Blog)
Iyer on questions of genre, musical freedom, Hindu holidays, and right vs. left brains.

Article
"Colors Swirl In A Real Rite of Spring" (NPR)
Anastasia Tsioulcas explores Iyer's soundtrack to Radhe Radhe: Rites of Holi. 

Article
"Notes from Vijay Iyer and Prashant Bhargava" (ICEorg.org)
"We were particularly interested in the lived and felt reality of individuals on the brink of change: the transformative role of myth in earthly life."

Interview
Iyer talks about collaborating with ECM's Manfred Eicher, a few favorite ECM albums, and more. 

Webpage
Keep up with the intrepid new music band. 


Watch & Listen

Video
Trailer for Radhe Radhe: Rites of Holi (Vimeo)
Watch the trailer for Prashant Bhargava's rich film.

Audio
"Vijay Iyer: The Physical Experience of Rhythm" (NPR)
Says Iyer: "Letting these numbers unfold through physical action is, for me, part of the process of making music."

Audio
Inside Vijay Iyer's Harlem Home (WQXR)
Iyer talks about his piano, ponders wall decor, and pokes around his bookshelf.


Worthwhile Words

Vijay Iyer on his musical allegiances:
What you call genres, I see as communities or networks: aggregates of music makers and listeners coalescing around a shared history or a common social location. But New York City is like the inside of a star; it’s a place where those things are continually made and unmade, where communities constantly collide, interact, and re-form. (More)

Now your turn...

So how did you enjoy the show? Likes? Dislikes? Surprises? Tell us what's on your mind in the comments below.

6 comments:

  1. I attended the performance on Thursday, Dec. 18. The opening piece, a response to racial injustice and recent incidents here in NYC and around the country, was beautiful and powerful. It must have been composed and choreographed very recently. It was a magnificent and moving example of art responding to social issues. Well done, all involved in making and performing this beautiful piece.

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  2. I loved the second part of the program, so much energy visual and the music was fantastic

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  3. Vijay Iyer's appreciation of life in all cultures was clear in tonight's BAM concert. The entire concert was fabulous. The first piece, with its powerful visual and musical testimony - hands up don't shoot, hands together in in supplication, and the video statement "Black lives matter," was powerful. The second piece with string quartet, piano,and electronics, Mutations, was a mesmerizing exploration in sounds, tones, and metres. The last piece, with the International Contemporary Ensemble, about the rites of Holi, was a fascinating visual and sound experience.

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  4. An astounding feat of creativity, intensity and composition from a musician who continues to mature, and push the bounds of music and thoughtfulness. Each theme and not placement was meticulous and the musicians clearly understood and communicated the vision. It will be an honor and unbridled privilege to witness and enjoy what Vijay creates in the coming years.

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  5. Amazing show. Great to see a non Indan sensibility adapted so brilliantly for an Indian festival.
    And what an absolutely aesthetic auditorium
    Loved the entire experience
    Talented duo of Vijay Iyer and Prashant Bhargava take a bow

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