175 East Announces 2005 Concerts

175 East Announces 2005 Concerts

New works by New Zealand composers Helen Bowater and Chris Watson will feature in two concerts by leading contemporary music ensemble 175 East in October.

175 East performs at Hopetoun Alpha, Auckland on Sunday 2 October, and at Adam Concert Room, Victoria University, Wellington on Sunday 9 October.

Director James Gardner says this year’s concert programme features old and new works including Helen Bowater’s commissioned piece Declination Zero, Chris Watson’s bass clarinet solo Mandible, alongside Christian Wolff’s Braverman Music and Michael Finnissy’s Molly House.

“We’re continuing to aim to provide a platform for high quality professional performances of works by young, emerging and established New Zealand composers and are very much looking forward to presenting Helen Bowater’s piece.

“Chris Watson’s Mandible has been written for our bass clarinettist Andrew Uren and will present a challenge. Chris knew Andrew would be able to play something quite extreme and we are sure audiences will appreciate this work.”

The inclusion of Christian Wolff’s Braverman Music is special for 175 East and fulfils the group’s second aim to present works from overseas to New Zealand audiences.

“We’ve been wanting to do a piece of Wolff’s for a long time and it’s finally come together.”

James says Braverman Music dates from 1980 and the 175 East performances will be the first time it has been played in New Zealand.

Michael Finnissy’s Molly House is another New Zealand premiere. Using musical material based on Handel’s arias, it also includes parts for “unpitched electronic gadgets or household utensils” including mixers, drills, hair-dryers, shavers, blenders and vacuum cleaners.

175 East is Auckland’s only professional contemporary music ensemble and was formed nine years ago.

The ensemble plays a mixture of works by New Zealand and international composers and often commissions and premieres new works by New Zealand composers.

175 East currently includes six players under the baton of conductor Hamish McKeich. Players for 2005 are Ingrid Culliford (flutes), Gretchen Dunsmore (clarinets), Andrew Uren (bass clarinet), Tim Sutton (bass trombone), Katherine Hebley (cello), and Dan Stabler (double bass).

175 East performs at Hopetoun Alpha, Auckland on Sunday 2 October at 7.30pm, and at Adam Concert Room, Victoria University, Wellington on Sunday 9 October at 7.30pm. Tickets available at the door.

ENDS

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