- By Laurel Gilmer
- Entertainment
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The Cornell Department of Music's Steven Stucky Memorial Residency for New Music begins with the Israeli Chamber Project (ICP) visiting campus as the initiative's inaugural ensemble. ICP is a dynamic ensemble with variable instrumentation that brings together distinguished musicians for chamber music concerts and educational and outreach programs both in Israel and abroad. ICP has appeared at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Morgan Library & Museum, Town Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, Bargemusic, and at Symphony Space in New York City, the Morrison Artists Series in San Francisco, Carmel Music Society, The Clark Memorial Library at UCLA, and Ottawa's Chamberfest, among others, and has been featured on NPR's Performance Today and WQXR radio's Young Artist Showcase.
The ensemble was selected by a music department faculty committee co-chaired by Xak Bjerken (Performance) and Kevin Ernste (Composition). "We were looking for a group of superb musicians who have an international reputation, have a broad repertoire, are comfortable performing new music from various aesthetic traditions, and are experienced holding residencies," said Bjerken. "The Israeli Chamber Project is all of that, and their breadth and openness to our department made them a clear and exciting choice."
At Cornell, ICP musicians Assaff Weisman (piano), Guy Ben-Ziony (viola), Tibi Cziger (clarinet), and Yonah Zur (violin) will work with graduate composers Sergio Cote, Piyawat Louilarpprasert, and Daniel Sabzghabaei on compositions in progress, coach chamber music students, and provide masterclasses and mentoring. This visit is anchored by a performance on Monday, September 16 at 8:00 pm at Barnes Hall that will present the new works, plus pieces by Roberto Sierra and Mario Davidovsky. They will additionally present a chamber music reading session with Xak Bjerken and Miri Yampolsky at 8:00 pm on Saturday, September 14 at Barnes Hall.
Ernste notes that "We're excited for the first year of this memorial residency honoring our former colleague, composer Steven Stucky. Beyond simply honoring him and his work, the residency allows us to continue Steve's legacy of teaching and mentorship, offering a new opportunity for faculty and graduate students to create new work in close contact with world-class artists."
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