LAURIE ANDERSON
ZAKIR HUSSAIN
AGAINST THE GRAIN THEATRE
JOHN PATITUCCI, DANILO PÉREZ, AND BRIAN BLADE
MEDIA KIT
21C MUSIC FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
21C MUSIC FESTIVAL PRESS RELEASE
21C MUSIC FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE
CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF EVENTS AND WORKS
TICKETING INFORMATION
SPONSORS
THE ROYAL CONSERVATORY FACT SHEET The 21C Music Festival is made possible through the generous support of Michael and Sonja Koerner
21C MUSIC FESTIVAL 2020
A FESTIVAL OF NEWLY-MINTED MUSIC BY THE WORLD’S FOREMOST STARS OF INDEPENDENT MUSICAL THINKING AND INNOVATION
8 CONCERTS 1 FILM 1 VIRTUAL REALITY INSTALLATION 3 WEEKS 12 PREMIERES (5 WORLD, 1 NORTH AMERICAN, 6 CANADIAN)
9 CANADIAN COMPOSERS
21C Music Festival 2020 spans 3 weeks in January and celebrates one of America’s most renowned – and daring – creative pioneers, Laurie Anderson
Laurie Anderson Zakir Hussain Danilo Pérez
Against the Grain Theatre John Patitucci Bekah Simms
Osvaldo Golijov Philippe Sly & Le Chimera Project
Barbara Croall Miriam Khalil
Joel Ivany Kaija Saariaho
Brian Blade Véronique Mathieu
Christos Hatzis Allison Au Quartet
Laila Biali Adam Scime
Danilo Pérez’s Global Messengers Zane Dalal
Royal Conservatory Orchestra Miguel Azguime Brian Current
Gabriel Dharmoo Derek Johnson Jamey Haddad
Alice Ping Yee Ho The Glenn Gould School New Music Ensemble
“MAKING TORONTO A MORE MUSICALLY INTERESTING CITY.”
TORONTO STAR
“ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ANNUAL FESTIVALS IN THE CITY.” LUDWIG VAN TORONTO
“INNOVATIVE COMPOSERS MAKING NEW WORKS ARE THE STARS.”
NOW
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 • Please include in your listings/announcements
21C MUSIC FESTIVAL
The seventh edition of the 21C Music Festival will include eight concerts over three weekends, from Saturday,
January 11 to Saturday, January 25, 2020. Two additional events celebrate Grammy Award-winning composer
and one of America’s most renowned creative pioneers, Laurie Anderson. Anderson’s presentation of The Art of
Falling in Koerner Hall is already sold out, but audiences can experience her work performed by students of The
Glenn Gould School in Temerty Theatre, at the Royal Ontario Museum’s virtual reality installation, To the Moon,
and in a film screening of her documentary, Heart of a Dog at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema.
The 21C Music Festival will include 5 world premieres by four Canadian composers (Allison Au, Barbara Croall,
Ryan Davis, and Bekah Simms) and one American (John Patitucci), 1 North American premiere (Miguel Azguime),
and 4 Canadian premieres (Alice Ping Yee Ho, Zakir Hussain, Danilo Pérez, and Kaija Saariaho).
The 21C Music Festival will include 5 world premieres by four Canadian composers (Allison Au, Barbara Croall, Ryan Davis, and Bekah Simms) and one American (John Patitucci), 1 North American premiere (Miguel Azguime), and 6 Canadian premieres (Alice Ping Yee Ho, Zakir Hussain, Danilo Pérez, and Kaija Saariaho). Canadian violinist Véronique Mathieu performs a 21C Afterhours concert with a program titled True North,
featuring a Canadian premiere (Alice Ping Yee Ho’s 4 Seasons Suite) as well as the world premiere of a piece by Odawa First Nations composer, Barbara Croall, commissioned by The Royal Conservatory; 21C Cinq à Sept includes a world premiere by violist Ryan Davis for viola, voice and live electronics, Laurie Anderson’s Shutter Island and the Canadian premiere of Kaija Saariaho’s Laconisme de l’aile; The Glenn Gould School New Music Ensemble has dedicated its concert to the late American-Canadian composer Michael Colgrass and features his piece Hammer and Bow, alongside the North American premiere of Miguel Azguime’s Aguas Marinhas and the world premiere of Bekah Simms’s Bestiary I & II; a special Royal Conservatory Orchestra concert conducted by Zane Dalal will consist of an improvisation with Zakir Hussain, John Patitucci, Danilo Peréz, and Brian Blade, the Canadian premiere of Hussain’s tabla concerto Peshkar, and the world premiere of Patitucci’s Hypocrisy for jazz trio and orchestra; the final concert of the Festival, Danilo Pérez’s Global Messengers and Allison Au Quartet, will include the world premiere of Allison Au’s Migrations (commissioned by The Royal Conservatory) and the Canadian premiere of Danilo Pérez’s Fronteras (co-commissioned by The Royal Conservatory). Two theatrical events take place during the Festival: Against the Grain Theatre (AtG) explores Argentine composer Osvaldo Golijov’s Mariel, K’vakarat, and Tenebrae, and the evening culminates with Ayre, starring Canadian soprano Miriam Khalil and staged by AtG’s Joel Ivany; and Philippe Sly & Le Chimera Project present a fully staged version of Schubert’s song cycle Winterreise, newly arranged for klezmer ensemble. Mervon Mehta, Executive Director of Performing Arts at The Royal Conservatory, said: “After seven years, the
21C Music Festival has become widely respected and innovative composers and artists making new music are
eager to perform for us in Toronto. We are thrilled to be premiering so many works new to Toronto, including world
premieres in jazz, classical, and world music genres. Join us as we traverse creative minds from Laurie Anderson to
Zakir Hussain with stops along the way by Osvaldo Golijov, Danilo Pérez, Barbara Croall, and even Franz Schubert.
Our heartfelt thanks to our champions, Michael and Sonja Koerner, for their steadfast support of this festival since
its inception. Thanks also to our programming partners, The Royal Ontario Museum and the Hot Docs Ted Rogers
Cinema.”
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Against the Grain Theatre’s Ayre and other works by Osvaldo Golijov Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 8pm | Artist Talk at 7pm | Koerner Hall Osvaldo Golijov has been awarded Guggenheim and MacArthur Fellowships, has won two Grammy Awards for
composition, and was Musical America’s Composer of the Year in 2006. 21C goes deep into his catalogue with
Ayre, a thrill to experience with its lush fusion of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean folk melodies. Starring
Canadian soprano Miriam Khalil and staged by AtG’s Joel Ivany, Juno-nominated Ayre is presented along with
other works such as Mariel, K’vakarat, and Tenebrae. An all-star roster of musicians includes Jamey Haddad
(percussion), Barry Shiffman (violin and viola), Michael Ward-Bergman (accordion), Juan Gabriel
Olivares (clarinet) Beverley Johnston (percussion), Jeremy Flower (laptop and electronics), Roberto Occhipinti
(bass), and Cantor Alex Stein.
21C Afterhours: Véronique Mathieu Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 10:30pm | Temerty Theatre Violinist Véronique Mathieu and pianist Stephanie Chua perform a program titled True North, featuring the
Canadian premiere of 4 Seasons by Alice Ping Yee Ho alongside works by Derek Johnson and Canadian
composer Adam Scime. The evening also includes the world premiere of a piece by Odawa First Nations composer,
Barbara Croall, co-commissioned by The Royal Conservatory.
Generously supported by Kris Vikmanis & Denny Creighton
Philippe Sly & Le Chimera Project: Winterreise 2020 Friday, January 17, 2020 at 8pm | Post-concert Talk | Koerner Hall This fresh 21st century theatrical take on Schubert’s final masterpiece blurs the line between concert and theatre.
The fully staged song cycle (24 songs based on poems by Wilhelm Müller) is newly arranged for violin, clarinet,
trombone, and accordion, and features Canadian bass-baritone Philippe Sly.
Generously sponsored by Power Corporation of Canada and generously supported by an anonymous donor
21C Cinq à Sept Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 5pm | Temerty Theatre Musicians from The Glenn Gould School perform Christos Hatzis’s “The Mega4 Meta4” from Earthrise, the
Canadian premieres of Laurie Anderson’s Shutter Island and Kaija Saariaho’s Laconisme de l’aile, as well as
the world premiere of Ryan Davis’s new composition for viola, voice, and live electronics.
Laurie Anderson: The Art of Falling Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 8pm | Koerner Hall | SOLD OUT NYC composer, Laurie Anderson, is one of America’s most renowned – and daring – creative pioneers, known for
her multimedia presentations. In this concert, she will perform the Canadian premiere of solo works and
collaborations with her long time musical partner, cellist Rubin Kodheli. As Anderson puts it: “The Art of Falling is
an extended improvisation for viola, cello, and electronics. Hypnotic stories, politics, and dreams weave in and out of
the music. My ambition with The Art of Falling is to make a piece that is one long sentence.”
The Glenn Gould School New Music Ensemble: For Michael Colgrass Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 1pm | Mazzoleni Concert Hall Curated and conducted by Brian Current, the students of The Glenn Gould School perform Hammer and Bow by
the late Michael Colgrass in honour of his passing; a world premiere of Bestiary I & II by Bekah Simms for
soprano, ensemble, and electronics; Gabriel Dharmoo’s the fog in our poise; and the North American premiere of
Aguas Marinhas by celebrated Portuguese composer, Miguel Azguime.
Generously supported by Dorothy Cohen Shoichet
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Zane Dalal conducts the Royal Conservatory Orchestra with Zakir Hussain, John
Patitucci, Danilo Pérez, and Brian Blade Friday, January 24, 2020 at 8pm | Artist Talk at 7pm | Koerner Hall
Legendary tabla master, Zakir Hussain, and jazz trailblazer/bassist, John Patitucci, bring an extraordinary
program conducted by Zane Dalal, Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra of India. The program will
include the Canadian premiere of Hussain’s tabla concerto, Peshkar, and the world premiere of Patitucci’s
Hypocrisy for orchestra and jazz trio, featuring Danilo Pérez on piano, Brian Blade on drums, and Patitucci on
bass. The concert will open with an improvisation by Hussain and the trio.
Part of the Temerty Orchestral Program. Generously sponsored by TELUS, RBC Foundation, and Next Pathway
Inc.
Danilo Pérez’s Global Messengers and Allison Au Quartet Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 8pm | Koerner Hall | Postlude: Andrew McAnsh Quartet Panamanian jazz pianist and composer, Danilo Pérez, serves as a UNESCO Artist for Peace, Cultural Ambassador
to the Republic of Panama, Founder and Artistic Director of the Panama Jazz Festival, as well as Founder and
Artistic Director of the Berklee Global Jazz Institute in Boston’s Berklee College of Music. In this concert, he leads
musicians from Palestine, Greece, Jordan, and Panama, with varied musical traditions and instrumentation to
match. Juno Award-winning saxophonist Allison Au opens the evening with her quartet and special guest vocalist
Laila Biali. The Royal Conservatory has commissioned both Pérez and Au to write new pieces, with Pérez’s work,
titled Fronteras (Borders), receiving its Canadian premiere and Au’s, called Migrations, a world premiere.
Generously sponsored by TD Bank Group
Allison Au commission generously supported by Nance Gelber & Dan Bjarnason
Additional Laurie Anderson Events Laurie Anderson: To The Moon
January 11-25, 2020; Tickets & information: rom.on.ca; 100 Queen’s Park
This 15-minute immersive virtual reality installation at the Royal Ontario Museum, developed with Taiwanese artist
Hsin-chien Huang, transports viewers onto the surface of the moon in an otherworldly experience.
Music on Film: Heart of a Dog
Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 6:30pm; Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema; Post-film talk with Laurie Anderson
hosted by Mervon Mehta; Tickets & information: hotdocscinema.ca; 506 Bloor Street West
Laurie Anderson takes us on a magical journey through the nature of love, loss, and absence. Centered on her
beloved dog Lolabelle, who died in 2011, and dedicated to her late husband, Lou Reed, Heart of a Dog seamlessly
weaves together childhood memories, video diaries, and philosophical musings on the meaning of life. This
sweeping and heartfelt personal essay continues her trailblazing career of imbuing the everyday with a sense of
dreamlike wonder.
D: Laurie Anderson | 75 min | 2015 | USA |
Tune in to 21C Music Festival livestreams from anywhere in the world
and watch select concerts from past editions of the Festival!
Select 21C Music Festival concerts will be web streamed from the “Live at Koerner Hall” livestream page at
www.rcmusic.com/livestream
Media Contact: Barbora Kršek, Concert Publicity Manager and Publications Editor 416.408.2824 ext.265; [email protected]
FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE
5 WORLD PREMIERES
Allison Au Barbara Croall Ryan Davis ♪ Migrations new work for solo violin new work for viola,
voice & live electronics
John Patitucci Bekah Simms Hypocrisy Bestiary I & II
1 NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE
Miguel Azguime
Aguas Marinhas
Canadian composer ♪ The Royal Conservatory of Music faculty/student/alumnus
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6 CANADIAN PREMIERES
Laurie Anderson
The Art of Falling Shutter Island
Alice Ping Yee Ho Zakir Hussain 4 Seasons Suite Peshkar
Danilo Pérez Kaija Saariaho Fronteras Laconisme de l’aile
OTHER WORKS
Michael Colgrass: Hammer and Bow Gabriel Dharmoo: the fog in our poise Osvaldo Golijov: Ayre Osvaldo Golijov: K’vakarat Osvaldo Golijov: Mariel Osvaldo Golijov: Tenebrae Christos Hatzis: “The Mega4 Meta4” from Earthrise Derek Johnson: Fragments Franz Schubert: Winterreise, D. 911 Adam Scime: From What Hand to Speak, for soprano and violin
ARTISTS
Ensembles Against the Grain Theatre Allison Au Quartet
Le Chimera Project Danilo Pérez’s Global Messengers The Glenn Gould School New Music Ensemble ♪ The Glenn Gould School Quartet ♪
Royal Conservatory Orchestra ♪ Artists
Laurie Anderson Allison Au, saxophone
Laila Biali, piano & vocals Brian Blade, drums Stephanie Chua, piano Brian Current, conductor ♪ Zane Dalal, conductor Ryan Davis, viola ♪ Jeremy Flower, laptop & electronics Rosie Gallagher, flute ♪ Jamey Haddad, percussion Jason Hand, lighting Zakir Hussain, tabla Joel Ivany, direction Beverley Johnston, percussion Miriam Khalil, soprano Rubin Kodheli, cello
Véronique Mathieu, violin ♪ Roberto Occhipinti, bass Juan Gabriel Olivares, clarinet ♪ John Patitucci, bass Danilo Pérez, piano Barry Shiffman, violin & viola ♪ Philippe Sly, bass-baritone Cantor Alex Stein, vocals Xin Wang, soprano Michael Ward-Bergman, accordion
Canadian artist ♪ The Royal Conservatory of Music faculty/student/alumnus
CHRONOLOGICAL LIST OF EVENTS AND WORKS
Against the Grain Theatre’s Ayre and other works by Osvaldo Golijov Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 8:00pm; Preconcert Talk at 7:00pm; Koerner Hall
All Osvaldo Golijov program:
Mariel
K’vakarat
Tenebrae
Ayre
21C Afterhours: Véronique Mathieu Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 10:30pm; Temerty Theatre
Program titled True North:
Alice Ping Yee Ho: 4 Seasons Suite (Canadian premiere)
Derek Johnson: Fragments
Barbara Croall: new work for solo violin (world premiere) *
Adam Scime: From What Hand to Speak, for soprano and violin
* Barbara Croall’s new work for solo violin co-commissioned by The Royal Conservatory/Koerner Hall for 21C Music Festival 2020 with generous support from Kris Vikmanis and Denny Creighton
Laurie Anderson: To The Moon January 11-25, 2020
Laurie Anderson and Hsin-chien Huang: To the Moon
Philippe Sly & Le Chimera Project: Winterreise 2020 Friday, January 17, 2020 at 8:00pm; Post-Concert Talk; Koerner Hall
Franz Schubert: Winterreise, D. 911
21C Cinq à Sept Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 5:00pm; Temerty Theatre
Ryan Davis: new composition for viola, voice & live electronics (world premiere) ♪ Kaija Saariaho: Laconisme de l’aile Laurie Anderson: Shutter Island * (Canadian premiere) Christos Hatzis: “The Mega4 Meta4” from Earthrise
* Laurie Anderson’s Shutter Island was commissioned as part of the Kronos Performing Arts Association’s Fifty for the Future: The Kronos Learning Repertoire, which is made possible by a group of adventurous partners, including The Royal Conservatory, Carnegie Hall. and many others.
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Laurie Anderson: The Art of Falling Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 8:00pm; Koerner Hall
Laurie Anderson: The Art of Falling (Canadian premiere)
The Glenn Gould School New Music Ensemble: For Michael Colgrass Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 1:00pm; Mazzoleni Concert Hall
Bekah Simms: Bestiary I & II (world premiere) Gabriel Dharmoo: the fog in our poise Michael Colgrass: Hammer and Bow Miguel Azguime: Aguas Marinhas (North American premiere)
Music on Film: Heart of a Dog Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 6:30pm; Post-film talk with Laurie Anderson; Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
Zane Dalal conducts the Royal Conservatory Orchestra with Zakir Hussain, John Patitucci, Danilo Pérez, and Brian Blade Friday, January 24, 2020 at 8:00pm; Artist Talk at 7:00pm; Koerner Hall
Improvisation with Zakir Hussain, John Patitucci, Danilo Pérez & Brian Blade John Patitucci: Hypocrisy (world premiere) Zakir Hussain: Peshkar (Canadian premiere)
Danilo Pérez’s Global Messengers and Allison Au Quartet Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 8:00pm; Koerner Hall
Program will include the world premiere of Allison Au’s Migrations* and the Canadian premiere of Danilo Pérez’s Fronteras.**
* Allison Au’s Migrations commissioned by The Royal Conservatory/Koerner Hall for 21C Music Festival 2020 with generous support from Nance Gelber & Dan Bjarnason
** Danilo Pérez’s Fronteras was co-commissioned by Detroit Jazz Festival, London Jazz Festival, The Witold Lutoslawski National Forum of Music, Wroclaw, Poland (Jazztopad Festival), and The Royal Conservatory/Koerner Hall for the 21C Music Festival 2020.
Canadian composer ♪ The Royal Conservatory of Music faculty/student/alumnus
TICKETS START AT ONLY $21!
CONCERT + HOTEL PACKAGES AVAILABLE 416.408.0208 www.rcmusic.com/21C
TICKETS ON SALE NOW; FESTIVAL PASSES ARE SOLD OUT
21C Music Festival
Against the Grain Theatre’s Ayre and other works by Osvaldo Golijov Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 8pm | KH; $21-$90
21C Afterhours: Véronique Mathieu Saturday, January 11, 2020 at 10:30pm | TT; $21
Laurie Anderson: To The Moon
January 11-25, 2020 | Royal Ontario Museum
Philippe Sly & Le Chimera Project: Winterreise Friday, January 17, 2020 at 8pm | KH; $21-$90
21C Cinq à Sept Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 5pm | TT; $21
Laurie Anderson: The Art of Falling Saturday, January 18, 2020 at 8pm | KH; $21-$95
The Glenn Gould School New Music Ensemble: For Michael Colgrass Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 1pm | MCH; free (ticket required)
Music on Film: Heart of a Dog
Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 6:30pm | Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema | $17/$12/$10
Zane Dalal conducts the Royal Conservatory Orchestra with Zakir Hussain, John Patitucci, Danilo Pérez, and Brian Blade
Friday, January 24, 2020 at 8pm | KH; $21-$105
Danilo Pérez’s Global Messengers and Allison Au Quartet Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 8pm | KH; $21-$90
Venue Legend: KH Koerner Hall; MCH Mazzoleni Concert Hall; TT Temerty Theatre
All concerts take place at The Royal Conservatory TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, 273 Bloor Street West, Toronto
Tickets are available online at www.rcmusic.com/21C, by calling 416.408.0208, or in person at the Weston Family Box Office
All advertised prices include service charge and 13% HST
A limited number of $15 Rush Tickets are available starting 90 minutes before all performances presented by The Royal Conservatory
Join the Premiere email list for special offers and added concerts Connect with us at Facebook/koernerhall Follow us on Twitter @the_rcm and use hashtags #KoernerHall and #21Cmusic
The 21C Music Festival is made possible through the generous support of Michael and Sonja Koerner
Performance Season Sponsors
Concert Sponsors
Concert Supporters Nance Gelber & Dan Bjarnason Dorothy Cohen Shoichet Kris Vikmanis & Denny Creighton An anonymous donor
Presenting Partners
Government Supporters
21C Music Festival Media Sponsors
THE ROYAL CONSERVATORY
The Royal Conservatory of Music is one of the largest and most respected music education institutions in the
world, providing the definitive standard of excellence in curriculum design, assessment, performance training,
teacher certification, and arts-based social programs.
The mission of The Royal Conservatory – to develop human potential through leadership in music and the arts – is
based on the conviction that the arts are humanity's greatest means to achieve personal growth and social
cohesion. Advancing the transformative effect that music and the arts have on society lies at the heart of
everything The Royal Conservatory does.
The more than five million alumni of The Royal Conservatory have enjoyed the many benefits of music study and carried these benefits into subsequent careers in a wide range of fields, including medicine, business, politics, education, science, and sports. Others, such as Glenn Gould, Oscar Peterson, Diana Krall, Teresa Stratas, Sir Roger Norrington, and Jon Vickers, have achieved international musical acclaim.
The Royal Conservatory Certificate Program provides a recognized standard of musical achievement through an
effectively sequenced system of study and individual student assessments, from preparatory to advanced levels.
Considered the foremost music education system in Canada, the United States, and many other countries around
the world, its broad use has bound together individuals from these nations with the thread of shared creative
experiences.
The Royal Conservatory is committed to enabling greater access to music through digital solutions, with a focus on:
supporting and engaging the teaching community; cultivating and inspiring students and their families; bolstering
and highlighting Canadian talent; and enriching and enhancing the future of music and music education.
The Royal Conservatory is also a leader in the development of arts-based programs designed to address a range of social issues, such as the academic achievement of youth at risk, the development of children in their early years, and the wellness of seniors. Learning Through the Arts® and The Marilyn Thomson Early Childhood Education Centre use the latest research findings in neuroscience and the social sciences to address important health, social, and developmental issues.
At its national base, the TELUS Centre for Performance and Learning, The Royal Conservatory offers an
extensive set of training programs for gifted young artists through The Glenn Gould School and The Phil and Eli
Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists as well as classes and lessons for individuals of all ages and
abilities at the Royal Conservatory School. The Conservatory also presents and produces a wide range of
concerts featuring the finest Canadian and international artists in its magnificent performance spaces, including the
internationally acclaimed Koerner Hall, Temerty Theatre, and Mazzoleni Concert Hall.
Entrenched in the minds and hearts of Canadians, The Royal Conservatory has united generations of citizens since its inception in 1886.