Looking Back on FUSE PROJECT 2017!
THE FUSE PROJECT was certainly an exciting time at Symphony Space! For over three weeks, we celebrated the sparks and ignition of the creative process through new commissions, world premieres, vibrant artistic collaborations, and truly extraordinary performances.
A few days later and there is already so much to reminisce about!
WALL TO WALL STEVE REICH
APRIL 30
This year’s Fuse Project officially begun with our annual Wall to Wall extravaganza, paying tribute to legendary American composer Steve Reich as part of his 80th birthday celebrations.
The 8-hour marathon included Reich himself in conversation, as well as program spanning more than 4 decades of his work, culminating in an exquisite performance of Reich’s complex and haunting Desert Music for chorus and orchestra.
For more coverage of that special day, click here!
JOHN LUTHER ADAMS RESIDENCY
MAY 8–14
John Luther Adams has been described by The New Yorker’s Alex Ross as “one of the most original musical thinkers of the new century.” As part of FUSE PROJECT, Adams curated a week-long project that drew on his broad cultural interests with performances of his music at various locations on the Upper West Side, as well as a literary event, piano recital, and documentary film screening.
Events included:
A DOCUMENTARY PORTRAIT WITH FILMMAKER LUCIAN READ
MAY 8| 7:30PM
Award-winning war photographer, cinematographer, and producer Lucian Read introduced excerpts from a new documentary about John Luther Adams.
BARRY LOPEZ & JOHN LUTHER ADAMS IN CONVERSATION
MAY 9 | 7:30PM
John Luther Adams invited author Barry Lopez, whose writings explore humanitarian and environmental concerns, for a discussion of their work and shared passions.
STEINWAY SALON: LISA MOORE
MAY 11 | 7PM
Lisa Moore performs a special program curated by John Luther Adams of piano works by composers who have influenced and informed his work. Featuring a world premiere by Michael Byron and music by Peter Garland, Lois V Vierk, Jim Fox, David Mahler, and Adams himself.
CANTICLES OF THE HOLY WIND
MAY 12 | 7:30PM
Canticles of the Holy Wind, performed by The Crossing, surrounded the audience with four choirs, creating soundscapes that swept through the sanctuary of St. Michael’s Church and evoked wind, dreams, planets, and other secrets and mysteries of nature.
FLASH OPERAS
MAY 5–6 | 2 and 7:30PM
Flash fiction stories were brought to life in six brand new 15-minute operas, presented in collaboration with Experiments in Opera.
SELECTED SHORTS: FLASH FICTION
May 10 | 7:30pm
Actors Sonia Manzano, Bruce Altman, Sarah Steele, John Cameron Mitchell, Maulik Pancholy, and Kaneza Schaal prove that small can be mighty and less can be more with an evening of very short fiction. Featuring commissioned stories by Alexandra Kleeman, Danielle Evans, Lincoln Michel, Tony Tulathimutte, and Jenny Zhang.
MARTHA MOOKE AND RAHZEL RESIDENCY
MAY 18–20
Conceived by pioneering electro-acoustic violist and composer Martha Mooke in collaboration with beat boxing legend Rahzel (formerly of The Roots), this dynamic residency explored the junction of politics and culture, and the intersecting movements of the mid-twentieth century that inspired change.
Events included:
THE BEAT OF THE POETS: SPOKEN WORD PERFORMANCE
THUR, MAY 18 | 7:30 PM
A night of spoken word performance inspired by the poetry of the Beat Generation and revolutionary artists like Gil Scott-Heron and the Last Poets. With performances by spoken word artists Dr. Jamila Lyiscott, Karl “Dice Raw” Jenkins, Nancy Mercado, and alumni artists from Urban Word NYC: Ish, Alyssa “Lady Logic” Saunders, and Jadon Woodard. Event also includes a short music performance by beatboxer Rahzel and violist Martha Mooke.
REVOLUTION x3
FRI, MAY 19 | 8PM
A revolutionary concert featuring Steven Bernstein and Sexmob, Jaimeo Brown Transcendence, and the world premiere of Beats per Revolution by electric violist Martha Mooke and beatboxing legend Rahzel. Featuring a performance of Gil Scott Heron’s The Revolution Will Not Be Televised and an all-star ensemble.
AMBIENT BEAT PARTY
FRI, MAY 19 | 10:30PM
An evening at Bar Thalia with cocktails alongside a late-night DJ set with Rahzel.
JUST KIDDING: BEAT BOX BONANZA!
SAT, MAY 20 | 11AM
Kids were treated to a fantastic morning of sound as beatbox legend Rahzel performed and passed along a few tricks to budding young beat boxers.
