The San Francisco Contemporary Music Players (SFCMP) will kick off the new year with a remarkable concert on February 1 at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Titled "Tracing Paths," this program celebrates two significant figures in the ensemble's history while featuring works by six composers, including two world premieres by graduate students. The concert will also pay tribute to the late Olly Wilson and former Artistic Director Steven Schick, showcasing pieces that reflect both personal and historical significance.
Honoring Musical Pioneers: Olly Wilson and Steven Schick
This segment of the concert highlights the contributions of two influential figures in contemporary music. Olly Wilson's piece, No More, originally premiered by SFCMP in 1985, returns to the stage, reflecting on themes of freedom and human dignity through texts by South African poets. Former Artistic Director Steven Schick will perform as a percussion soloist in Zosha Di Castri’s Touch/Trace, marking its West Coast premiere. These performances not only honor the past but also bridge it with the present, creating a poignant connection between eras.
Olly Wilson, a revered professor at UC Berkeley, left an indelible mark on the music world with his compositions performed globally by prestigious orchestras. His work, No More, draws from the powerful poetry of South African activists who fought against apartheid. Meanwhile, Steven Schick's return to the stage as a performer adds a layer of personal significance to the concert. Di Castri’s Touch/Trace explores the intricate relationship between touch and memory, providing a fitting tribute to Schick's influence on SFCMP. Together, these performances underscore the ensemble's commitment to honoring its roots while pushing musical boundaries.
New Voices in Contemporary Composition: Ian Kaneko and Manuel Calderón
The concert also showcases the emerging talent of two graduate students from the conservatory’s Technology and Applied Composition department. Ian Kaneko and Manuel Calderón bring fresh perspectives to contemporary music with their world premieres. Kaneko's Shaping Mist and Calderón's Devastated explore innovative approaches to composition, blending traditional instrumentation with electronic elements to create immersive soundscapes.
Ian Kaneko, influenced by visual media, has crafted Shaping Mist to evoke the formless nature of fog. This piece challenges conventional musical structures, allowing performers to navigate the score based on what they hear from each other. The use of electronic reverb effects further enhances the ethereal quality of the music, suspending it in mid-air like mist. On the other hand, Manuel Calderón's Devastated delves into the emotional turmoil of loss. Originating from Colombia, Calderón's introspective style is evident in this deeply personal piece. It begins with a sense of confusion and internal conflict, gradually building to a dense, layered soundscape that mirrors the emotional numbness often associated with grief. Both compositions offer unique insights into the evolving landscape of contemporary music, highlighting the diverse voices shaping its future.