NEXUS has been producing creative and unique concerts since its first one in 1971. This past weekend was no exception as we collaborated with an amazing young Iranian / Canadian vocalist and setar (www.setar.info) player, Sepideh Raissadat who is quite well-known in her native country. Our performance was at a great little theater in Kitchener,… Read more »
SEA TO SEA (La Mer and cymbals)
When my touring schedule permits, I often play in the percussion section of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. Hamilton, Ontario is a thriving city about 70 km southwest of Toronto. The HPO is a fine orchestra with a long history. The original Canadian Brass was formed by members of the orchestra’s great brass section in 1970…. Read more »
Moondog’s musical inventions inspire new suite
Russsell Hartenberger’s new “Moondog Suite” will premiere on June 13th at Open Ears Festival. Russell was inspired to explore Moondog’s work not only by the eccentric composer’s “snaketime” rhythms (see last week’s posting) , his unusual uses of ambient sound, and influences that ranged from Native American through jazz to classical, but also by Moondog’s… Read more »
Orchestra and Chamber Music
The primary difference between orchestra and chamber music is the number of players. In chamber music, there is generally one player per part while a full orchestra doubles up sections to add volume (especially in the string sections). I’ve had the pleasure of playing both kinds. Back in college I had the outrageous experience of… Read more »
NEXUS performs with Sepideh Raissadat on June 13
On June 13 NEXUS and the Iranian vocalist Sepideh Raissadat join forces in a unique concert performance at the Open Ears Festival (Registry Theatre, Kitchener, ON). Russell Hartenberger has created several very special new arrangements for NEXUS and voice that will receive their premiere at the concert. Sepideh was born in Tehran, and began studying… Read more »
Russell’s Moondog Suite: “I’m not gonna die in 4/4 time.”
Russell has been busy! He has just completed a concert’s worth of new works to be premiered by NEXUS on June 13 at the Open Ears Festival in Kitchener, Ontario.
Raise a glass and a mallet to NEXUS on their birthday!
May 22nd is NEXUS’ 43rd Birthday! On May 22nd 1971, the first NEXUS concert took place in Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music.
Our Own Private Oberlin Conservatory Reunion at Carnegie Hall
I attended the May 5th concert of the New York Philharmonic at Carnegie Hall for a sold-out performance of Christopher Rouse’s Requiem. Chris Rouse was a classmate and friend of mine at the Oberlin Conservatory in the late 60s. Chris is now a preeminent composer. He’s won a coveted Pulitzer Prize, a Grammy award and… Read more »
“Persian Songs” and cheerful pieces: a new suite by Russell Hartenberger
Russell is putting the finishing touches on his suite of arrangements of works by Reza Ghassemi, the award-winning Iranian novelist, musician and composer. Russell’s suite will be premiered by NEXUS at the Open Ears Festival in Kitchener-Waterloo on June 13th. Ghassemi is adept in classical Iranian music and is a master of the Persian… Read more »
NEXUS premiering new suites by Russell Hartenberger
Russell Hartenberger has been hard at work on some wonderful new works that will be premiered by NEXUS on June 13 at the Open Ears Festival in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario.
True American Mavericks
My friend Stacey Bowers and I attended a concert at Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall which was called “collected stories: hero”. We especially went to see the second half of the concert which was a musical theater piece by Harry Partch (1901-1974) entitled “The Wayward” (1941-1943). Ever since I was in high school, which was a… Read more »
My Main Muses
Everyone has a muse (or muses) who have helped them find their own path. For me, that list includes teachers, coaches, leaders, artists, musicians, crafts people, friends and family. The American composer Harry Partch probably had the biggest influence on my musical thinking and yet there are many obstacles blocking his general acceptance. The… Read more »
Birthday wishes to Ray Dillard
This week, join us in wishing our Business Manager and Recording Engineer/Producer Ray Dillard a very happy birthday! In addition to his many and varied duties for NEXUS – everything from bill paying, banking, logistics, instrument loading, recording, and just general wonderful support – Ray records and advises other artists too, and has a busy… Read more »
Woodstock Chimes for Autism™ and Tyler’s Amazing Story
I am very excited about launching our new Woodstock Chimes for Autism Charitable Chime™ program, especially as World Autism Day approaches on Wednesday, April 2nd. A while back we were contacted by a family from Toronto whose eight year old son, Tyler, is high functioning autistic and has a passion for windchimes. We were thrilled… Read more »
NEXUS at Open Ears Festival in June
We are excited to share the news with you that NEXUS will be a part of the Open Ears Festival in June. This innovative art-and-sound festival in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, only happens every two years.
