Mobtown Modern Goes Deep with Baritone, Bass Arrangements in “Low Art”
October 7 concert explores musical range of the saxophone
A trio of Mobtown Modern musicians will share the lowdown on the low notes of the baritone and bass saxophone as they go to uncharted musical depths to test the limits of these instruments during “Low Art.” The concert will be held at the Metro Gallery in the Station North Arts and Entertainment District on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 8:00 p.m.
Led by Mobtown Modern co-curator and Grammy-winning saxophonist Brian Sacawa, the musicians will introduce five works by composers who capture the dynamic range of the saxophone. Sacawa will channel the bass line influences of funk legend James Brown in his rendition of 2009 Pulitzer Prize Winner David Lang’s Press Release, and will use electronic playback to magnify the bellowing low notes of Christian Lauba’s Stan, a tribute to jazz musician Stan Getz. For Giacontino Sclesi’s Maknongan, co-curator Erik Spangler will use Sacawa’s performance to create a live, unedited remix of the composer’s seminal work; while a collaboration with clarinetist Jennifer Everhart will test the mettle of these musicians with a high energy performance of Lee Hyla’s We Speak Etruscan. On the bass saxophone, Sacawa will tackle Anubis et Nout by Gérard Grisey.
The Contemporary Museum introduced the Mobtown Modern music series in January 2008 to provide a venue in Baltimore for the evolving New Music genre. Mobtown Modern exposes innovative techniques and trends in New Music by presenting works from local and national artists who are defining the emerging style.
“Low Art” will be presented Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. at the Metro Gallery, 1700 North Charles Street in Baltimore’s Station North Arts and Cultural District. Tickets are $10 for the general public, or $5 for members of the Contemporary and students with a valid ID.
For more information about the Contemporary Museum and Mobtown Modern, visit www.contemporary.org or www.mobtownmodern.com.
