Silent Partners April 9, 2010

The final concert of Network for New Music's 25th anniversary season features a pair of world premieres of new chamber music by nationally- and internationally-known composers; all the pieces on the program use words as silent partners in their musical explorations.

Network commissioned Philadelphia composer Michael Hersch to write a major new piece for chamber ensemble, the first such work he's written in almost a decade. His new work, "A Forest of Attics," is inspired by the writings of Polish graphic artist and author Bruno Schulz. Hersch is not only an international star, but his recent Philadelphia performances have been milestones: the premiere of his 2-hour piano piece, "The Vanishing Pavilions" was called "downright historic" by the Inquirer; and the Philadelphia premiere of his cello/horn duo "Last Autumn" was chosen by the Inquirer as one of the 10 best classical music events in 2009.

Network also commissioned Stephen Jaffe to write a piece for the ensemble; the work he wrote takes its title, "Light Dances (Chamber Concerto no. 2)," from the journals of Philadelphia artist Brian Peterson, who's also the Chief Curator of the James A. Michener Museum in Doylestown. Jaffe's piece shows off the chops of the Network ensemble members--he's said that each musician's part is written as if it were for a concerto soloist.

There will be a pre-concert performance by talented student musicians, including the winner of a recent Philadelphia flute competition, and after the concert a free reception with Hersch, Jaffe, Peterson, and the musicians.