International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), hailed by the New York Times as “one of the most accomplished and adventurous groups in new music,” kicks off its 2014-2015 season of performances around the globe with an evening in Chicago of recent works developed by some of ICE’s favorite composers and ICE musicians, followed by a discussion with the musicians and special guest moderator Lisa Lee, Director of the School of Art and Art History at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
This is the first of the OpenICE series at The Hideout, produced by ICE in partnership with the IHC. These series of FREE, intimate performances and workshops at The Hideout and local Chicago public schools will give audiences insight into the art of creating and experiencing contemporary classical music.
Featured Selections
Dai Fujikura’s Minina was written for the birth of his daughter and is a joyful overture to a new life. Nathan Davis’ Simple Songs of Birth and Return, written for the birth of his friends’ daughter, turns inward, featuring the delicate sounds of a solo mbira, against the backdrop of electronic sounds. The Tempest spotlights John Zorn’s close understanding of ICE musicians, assigning Shakespearean characters to the flute, clarinet and drums. Capricci is a piece by Chicago superstar Augusta Read Thomas, who was a mentor to ICE in the early years of the band, and whose music continues to be a huge inspiration for the players.
About Lisa
Lee Lisa Yun Lee is the Director of the School of Art & Art History, a visiting curator at the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, and a member of the Art History, Museum and Exhibition Studies, and Gender and Women’s Studies faculty at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has published a book on Frankfurt School philosopher Theodor Adorno titled, Dialectics of the Body: Corporeality in the Philosophy of Theodor Adorno (Routledge, 2004), and researches and writes about museums and diversity, cultural and environmental sustainability, and spaces for fostering radically democratic practices.
About ICE
The International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE) is dedicated to reshaping the way music is created and experienced. With a modular makeup of 33 leading instrumentalists performing in forces ranging from solos to large ensembles, ICE functions as performer, presenter, and educator, advancing the music of our time by developing innovative new works and new strategies for audience engagement. ICE redefines concert music as it brings together new work and new listeners in the 21st century.
If you need a sign interpreter or require other arrangements to fully participate, please call 312.422.5580 at least 72 hours prior to the event. For parking locations near the facility, please visit ChicagoParkingMap.com.
For more information, please cal 312.422.5580.