Clarinet virtuoso and percussion-video duo embody original visions of the concert experience
Southern Exposure’s fourth concert of the 2015-16 season may be its most adventurous. “Transforming the Concert Experience: Karel Dohnal and Earsight Duo” presents artists who embody strikingly original visions of the concert experience, with visual and theatrical elements that enhance and transform the music that is at its heart.
The concert takes place on Friday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. at the University of South Carolina School of Music Recital Hall (813 Assembly St, 2nd floor). The concert is free but patrons are encouraged to arrive early to secure a seat for this popular series.
Czech clarinet virtuoso Karel Dohnal will perform Karlheinz Stockhausen’s epic, rarely-heard “Harlekin” (1975), a theatrical work that involves costume, pantomime and dance. About the piece, the composer wrote, “The traditional figure of Harlequin is reborn in new form – a clarinet player … Out of the enchanted dream-messenger awake successively the playful constructor, the enamoured lyric, the pedantic teacher, the roguish joker, the passionate dancer, and finally the exalted spirit with his bird cries.” Dohnal is Harlekin’s leading contemporary interpreter, and one of the world’s foremost clarinet soloists and chamber musicians.
The show’s second half features Earsight Duo, winners of USC’s 2015 Savvy Chamber Competition, the nation’s first music contest to evaluate both artistic excellence and innovative event design. Comprised of percussionist Peter Ferry and video designer / pianist Xuan, Earsight melds music and film with incredible skill, sophistication, and a sense of humor. They will perform “Long Distance” by Steve Snowden – a piece using sound collected by phone hackers in the 1970s, a work by Steve Reich – recently called "our greatest living composer" by The New York Times, and a world premiere for percussion, prepared piano (one that has had its sound altered by placing objects on or between the strings) and live video by Edo Frenkel.
Karel Dohnal’s appearance is made possible through support from the USC Clarinet Association, a USC Student Government Organization.
Earsight Duo’s appearance is made possible through support from Spark: Carolina’s Music Leadership Laboratory.
Artist Exposure – Featured Visual Artist
Southern Exposure concerts include displays of work related to the music and musical guests by local visual artists. This concert’s featured artist is Columbia photographer Katia Lee. Artist Exposure is sponsored by the Trenholm Artists Guild.
Coming next
Thurs., April 14, 2016 – Indie Grits Collaboration: The Indie Grits / Southern Exposure spring show will be the multiple Grammy-winning ensemble eighth blackbird, in an outdoor concert along the river. Indie Grits is commissioning filmmakers to create films accompanying eighth blackbird’s performance for the occasion.