Southern Exposure
New Music Series

John Fitz Rogers, Artistic Director

Spring Fever, April 13, 2006 We celebrate the world-class talents of our USC faculty and local musicians, including pianists Phillip Bush, Lynn Kompass, Marina Lomazov, and Joseph Rackers, and percussionists Greg Apple and Scott Herring in performances of music by John Adams and Mary Ellen Childs, and featuring Bartók's "Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion" and Stravinsky's two-piano arrangement of his "The Rite of Spring."

Concert Description ~ Program

 

Alarm Will Sound, January 29, 2006 Hailed by the New York Times as "brilliant" and "the future of classical music," the dynamic and virtuosic young orchestra Alarm Will Sound is a 20-member band committed to innovative performances and recordings of today's music.
Concert Description ~ Program ~ Alarm Will Sound Web Site

Music from India, November 19, 2005 The Southern Exposure New Music Series kicks off its 2005-2006 season with a tour-de-force concert of Indian classical music by acclaimed sitar virtuoso Kartik Seshadri, accompanied by Arup Chattopadhyay on tabla.
Concert Description ~ Program ~ Kartik Seshadri's Web Site

2004-2005

Exposed Wiring II: Music of Humans & Machines (April 5, 2005)

The Southern Exposure New Music Series and USC Computer Music Concert combine forces once again to present a unique evening of music and technology. Ranging from the ethereal, high-tech music of Kaija Saariaho's "Lonh," for solo soprano, interactive computer, and electronics, to Iannis Xenakis's tour-de-force percussion masterpiece, "Rebonds," this concert celebrates the range and possibilities of music technology. Other works include Carl Vine's haunting "Inner World" for solo cello and electronic sound, Edmund Campion's lyrical "Corail" for tenor saxophone and interactive electronics, and "Once Removed" for two marimbas and "click tracks," composed by USC's own John Fitz Rogers. Please join guest artists Cameron Britt, Susan Fancher, Scott Herring, Serena Hill, and Norbert Lewandowski for what promises to be an electrifying musical event.

The World of Charles Ives (March 3, 2005)

Perhaps America's most important classical composer, Charles Ives wrote music of incredible grace, ferocity, humor, and beauty. Although most of his music dates from the early 1900s, his legacy still challenges and delights performers and audiences alike. The Southern Exposure New Music Series features his work in a concert that opens with a sampling of his many wonderful songs, performed by USC School of Music faculty members Helen Tintes-Schuermann, Jacob Will, and Lynn Kompass. The second half of the concert is devoted entirely to Ives's incredible magnum opus for solo piano, "The Concord Sonata," performed by Columbia's newest piano phenomenon, Philip Bush. Please join us for a musical journey unlike any other.

So Percussion (November 22, 2004)

The Southern Exposure New Music Series proudly presents the dynamic So Percussion ensemble from New York City. Hailed as "consistently impressive" by the New York Times, the quartet has already made a name for itself as one of the most exciting young ensembles in the country. Recent appearances include the Ban on a Can Marathon, Brooklyn Academy of Music Next Wave Festival, Cleveland Museum of Art, Miller Theatre, and Merkin Hall, among many others. So Percussion also actively commissions new work by important American composers. Their Southern Exposure concert will feature David Lang's groundbreaking "the so-called laws of nature," written for the ensemble in 2002, as well as music by Dennis DeSantis, Suzanne Farrin, Steve Reich, and Melanie Schoenberg. Please join us for an unforgettable evening of music.

2003-2004

Marina & Friends (April 25, 2004)

The Southern Exposure New Music Series and pianist Marina Lomazov combine forces to present this season's final and very special afternoon concert. Guest artists Douglas Graham, Constance Lane, Norbert Lewandowski, Joseph Rackers, and William Terwilliger join Marina Lomazov on stage for performance of John Adams's joyful and rhythmic Hallelujah Junction, George Crumbs's eerily beautiful Eleven Echoes of Autumn, and guest composer's Pierre Jalbert's deeply moving Piano Trio. Jalbert, composer-in-residence with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and 2001 winner of the BBC's prestigious Masterprize, will also give a pre-concert talk about his music at 1:30 p.m. Please join us for this Southern Exposure season's unforgettable finale!

Modern Masters II (March 19, 2004)
with special guest artist Claude Baker, Composer

The Southern Exposure New Music series presents and evening of great lyrical beauty and sparkling musical color. We will feature the music of guest artist Claude Baker, one of America's most distinguished and important composers, and former composer-in-residence with the Saint Louis Symphony. The Southern Exposure New Music Ensemble, guest artists Seung-Ah Kim, Stephen Beall, and Julie Licata, and USC School of Music faculty members Helen Tintes-Schuermann, Ronald Davis, and John Fitz Rogers perform works by Baker as well as Jennifer Higdon's lovely song cycle "Bentley Roses," and Pulitzer Prize winner Ellen Taaffe Zwilich's haunting "Chamber Symphony."

Ensemble X (January 18, 2004)

The Southern Exposure New Music Series presents a concert by Ensemble X, the remarkable ensemble-in-residence at Cornell University and Ithaca College. Formed in 1997 by a group of virtuoso performers who share a passionate commitment to contemporary classical music, Ensemble X has gained national notoriety through concerts at New York's Merkin Hall and Weill Recital Hall, as well as regional premieres of works by major composers such as John Adams and Christopher Rouse. Joining them for the concert is South Carolina's own Ambassador Duo, performing works by Ades, Hartke, Stucky, Takemitsu, and visiting composer James Matheson, hailed as "one of the brightest lights in the emerging new generation of American composers."

Michael Nicolella: New works for solo classical and electrical guitar (November 14, 2003)

With a repertoire that spans from J.S. Bach to Jimi Hendrix, Seattle-based Michael Nicolella is recognized as one of America's most innovative classical and electric guitar virtuosi. A uniquely eclectic and versatile artist, Nicolella blurs the lines between musical styles and disciplines, and is part of a growing trend in classical music to revitalize the role of the composer/performer. Nicolella brings his artistry to the Southern Exposure New Music series in a solo performance that includes works for both classical and electric guitar by Astor Piazzolla, Manuel Ponce, Steve Reich, Elliot Carter, and Lou Harrison, as well as Louis Andriessen's driving "Hout," for tenor sax, piano, percussion, and electric guitar.

2002-2003

A Strange Quiet: The Art and Music of Rothko & Feldman (April 29, 2003)

When the American composer Morton Feldman wrote his haunting and serene masterpiece "Rothko Chapel" in 1971, he was directly inspired by the incredible paintings of artist Mark Rothko. This evening we will explore the relationship between Feldman's music and Rothko's art through words, images, and performance. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the School of Music Recital Hall, conductor Britt Cooper will discuss his role in performing and conducting "Rothko Chapel." Then at 7:30 p.m. USC Assistant Professor of Art, David Voros, and Assistant Professor of Composition, John Fitz Rogers will present short talks on Rothko and Feldman, followed by a performance of "Rothko Chapel" with Britt Cooper and the USC Graduate Vocal Ensemble. Please join us for an unusual evening of art and music, and an unforgettable performance of Feldman's stunning work.

Exposed Wiring I (April 8, 2003)

The Southern Exposure New Music Series and USC Computer Music Concert combine forces to present a unique evening of music and technology. Ranging from ethereal, high-tech music of Kaija Saariaho's "Noa Noa," for solo flute, interactive computer, and electronics, to Jacob terVeldhuis's low-tech, gritty work, "Pitch Black," for saxophone quartet and boombox, this concert celebrates the range of musical possibilities between human and machine. Other works include guest composer Scott Lindroth's incredible "Bell Plates," for percussion and electronic sound, as well as the amazing Pi-inspired work, "Degrees of Accuracy," for solo trombone and electronic string sounds composed by USC's own Reginald Bain. Please join the members of the Southern Exposure New Music Ensemble, as well as guest artists Cameron Britt, Brad Edwards, and Rebecca Nagel for what promises to be an electrifying musical event!

The Ciompi String Quartet (January 30, 2003)

The world renown Ciompi String Quartet comes to USC's School of Music for what promises to be a rare and unforgettable beveling. Artists-in-residence at Duke University, and hailed by The Cleveland Plain Dealer for "music-making of remarkable poise and control," the quartet will perform Bela Bartok's legendary String Quartet No. 6 and Ben Johnston's haunting String Quartet No. 4 ("Amazing Grace"), as well as contemporary masterworks by Carolina composers Scott Lindroth and Nathaniel Stookey. Don't miss this tour-de-force concert by one of America's most important ensembles.

Autumn Color (November 22, 2002)

Please join us for an evening of dazzling musical color! From the meditate, deeply hued works of Olivier Messiaen and Arvo Part, to the brilliant and virtuosic music of Joan Tower, Leigh Howard Stevens, and visiting guest composer Stacy Garrop, this autumn concert of contemporary classical works promises rich musical color.

2001-2002

The Sound and the Fury (March 27, 2002)
with special guest artists The Furious Band

A concert of cutting edge contemporary music by one of New York's finest young ensembles, featuring works influence by pop, jazz, hip hop and folk music as well as a world premiere by USC Assistant Professor of Composition John Fitz Rogers.

Re-made in America (February 19, 2002)

A concert of American music with a global reach. Please join us for a hard-hitting evening of percussion works by American composers whose influences range from the music of Java to French Impressionism to the mechanistic sounds of modern urban life.

Modern Masters (November 30, 2001)
with special guest artists Lisa Moore and Martin Bresnick

New York based and internationally acclaimed pianist Lisa Moore brings her stunning multimedia recital to USC's School of Music. Joining her is one of the world finest and most influential composers, Martin Bresnick, in a tour-de-force concert featuring works by Ligeti, Rzewski, and Bresnick.

Minimal(ist) Exposure (October 11, 2001)

Mix one part 1960s neo-hippie minimalist music (Terry Riley's "In C"), one part West African-inspired percussion music (Steve Reich's "Nagoya Marimbas"), and two parts hard driving, old fashioned American rock-n-roll with a groove (David Lang's "Cheating, Lying, Stealing" and Michael Torke's "The Yellow Pages"). Shake briskly. Classical music with a twist.

Inaugural Concert

Extreme Piano: Music for One, Two, and Six Pianos! (March 30, 2001)

A gala evening celebrating USC's new Southern Exposure New Music Series and Ensemble with special guest artists Xak Bjerken, pianist, and Carlos Sanchez-Gutierrez, composer. The will include Sophia Gubaidulina's Chaconne, Gyorgy Kurtag's Games, Carlos Sanchez-Gutierrez's Calacas y Palomas, Olivier Messiaen's "The Kiss of the Christ Child" from Vingt Regards sur l'Enfant-Jesus and Steve Reich's Six Pianos.

Updated: September 7, 2008 by RB