Feature: Basso Moderno in Cape Gazette

Cape Gazette - Friday, August 12, 2007

Milton's 'House on the Hill' Presents Music & Art
by Kevin Spence
Cape Gazette Staff

Basso Moderno Duo, a musical group that has performed pieces written by Yoko Ono and other noteworthy composer composers, will play compositions specifically written to highlight the paintings of Heather Levy, who is holding a solo exhibition. "Flights of Fancy," contains 34 paintings described by Levy as modern art with an avant-garde flair."The whole body is a whimsical collection of pieces highlighting the miracle of flight, whether literal or figurative," she said. Guests will have the opportunity to hear and perhaps participate in a musical performance, as the Basso Moderno Duo will play to celebrate Levy's collection.

Members Allan von Schenkel and Kristen Williams have returned to Lavinia Street to perform for their third time at the artists' refuge, however this time, they'll play 'Whimsy' [premiered at the Smithsonian American Art Museum July 15, 2007]. Dr. Harold Colin Cowherd, a prominent African American composer, wrote 'Whimsy' over the summer and Schenkel said the piece appropriately fits the theme of the art show.

"We promote this music to nontraditional classical musical audiences", he said. Schenkel and Williams present new music commissions from worldwide composers including pieces written by Yoko Ono, Ned Rorem, and Pauline Oliveros. To date, the pair has worked with over 100 composers from 37 countries. In July, Basso Moderno Duo played in the D.C. Fringe Festival where they performed their own written work, '69 Ways to Fall in LOVE'.

Schenkel strums his bass while his partner, Williams, plays the piano.

Levy and the group often collaborate together, but pairing music with Levy's work is a new venture, said Williams. To nontraditional audiences, "Chamber music can be more accessible or easier to understand in an art gallery or a dance performance," said Williams. Jeannie Greenhaugh, 205 Lavinia St owner, said audiences are encouraged to literally join in the Saturday nigh affair. "At times, we include audience participation works, where everyone becomes part of the piece," said Schenkel.

Contact Kevin Spence at kevin-spence@hotmail.com

Basso Moderno Duo Commissions 'Nocturne' by Ned Rorem

The Basso Moderno Duo, in its quest to create a new repertoire for solo bass and piano, commissioned a new work from celebrated composer Ned Rorem. The resulting piece was his ‘Nocturne for Solo Bass & Piano’. Rorem stated, “I am going to write a real piece”, in response to the request for a short work.

‘Nocturne’ is a highly chromatic and flowing work with an endless melody which is always in transition. Both parts being equal, Rorem exploits the entire range of the bass and piano with long lines that are characteristic to his music.

Basso Moderno’s longtime dream to commission a piece from Ned Rorem was realized when the Smithsonian American Art Museum presented the opportunity to give a recital in the newly built McEvoy Auditorium.

Listen to ‘Nocturne’, by Ned Rorem, as played by the Basso Moderno Duo:
http://solobass.org/listen.html

Basso Moderno Wins Award

The Basso Moderno Duo has received an award from the Washington DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities for '69 Ways to Fall in LOVE'.

Elinor Armer composes 'Minotaur' for Basso Moderno Duo

We have just received ‘Minotaur’ by celebrated composer Elinor Armer. The inspiration for the work resulted from her recent trip to the Greek island of Crete. The historical site of Knossos is identified as the site of the Labyrinth were the legendary Minotaur lived. Armer identified with the half man-half bull because she ’feels the pull between the beast and the human in herself’. The Minotaur’s desire to be more human is a metaphor for wanting to aspire to greater things while being brought back to more primal states such as crude rage.

Music Web International: Interview by Dominy Clements

Basso Moderno Duo's August 2007 interview by
Dominy Clements of Music Web International.

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2007/Aug07/Basso_Moderno_Duo.htm

About Us

The Basso Moderno Duo has commissioned over one hundred lyrical works for solo bass and piano by some of the world's most prominent and exciting living composers. Composers from over thirty countries have written specifically for Allan Von Schenkel's virtuosic and highly individualized manner of playing.

Kristen Williams piano playing is a perfect complement to the intense voice of the solo bass. Williams is a focused musician who is able to share, with the listener, her devotion to the piano. Our program is designed to delight and surprise audiences with a combination of lush sounds, tasteful writing and lyricism.