ST. PAUL, MN (May 30, 2013) – The Schubert Club announces the artists performing in its new concert series Schubert Club Mix starting January 2014. The idea behind this series is to present world-class classical music artists in a new, less formal presentation format. The Schubert Club is pleased to co-present selected concerts in this series in collaboration with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra’s Liquid Music Series and the American Composers Forum.
The series kicks off on January 12 with prodigiously talented American violinist Hilary Hahn in collaboration with Berlin-based pianist/composer Hauschka. On April 13, internationally recognized pianist Anthony de Mare will present Liaisons: Re-Imagining Sondheim for the Piano, an evening of new solo piano pieces by some of the world’s foremost living composers; their works reflect songs by leading musical theater composer Stephen Soundheim. The series closes on June 3 with a multimedia performance titled Documerica featuring alternative string quartet ETHEL.
Schubert Club Mix 2014 Lineup
HILARY HAHN AND HAUSCHKA: Silfra
Sunday, January 12, 2014 at 7pm, Aria
Co-presented with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra’s Liquid Music Series
“[Silfra is] a mesmerizing flux of density and perspective.” – The New York Times
With a flawless technique and a knack for razor-sharp performance, the prodigiously talented American violinist Hilary Hahn is known for her probing interpretations, technical brilliance and commitment to new music. Hauschka is the alias of classically-trained German pianist-composer Volker Bertelmann, whose work as Hauschka is based upon a playful exploration of the ‘prepared’ piano. Like Hahn, Hauschka is no stranger to collaboration, whether with formal outfits or acclaimed bands like Calexico and múm.
ANTHONY DE MARE, PIANO: Liaisons: Re-Imagining Sondheim from the Piano
Sunday, April 13, 2014 at 7:30pm, Aria
Co-presented with American Composers Forum
Anthony de Mare is internationally recognized as one of the foremost champions of contemporary music, drawing praise from leading music critics. The New York Times cites de Mare as having “transformed the recital format.”
This intrepid program features solo piano pieces based on songs by the legendary composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim. “Liaisons demonstrates just how universal and timeless Sondheim’s music truly is,” explains de Mare. “The program’s collection of composers, ranging from jazz pianist Fred Hersch to film composer Thomas Newman to maverick Steve Reich, reveals Sondheim’s amazing ability to transcend the traditional boundaries of musical theater.” Minnesota-based composer Mary Ellen Childs was commissioned by The Schubert Club to write one of the new works for the project. Her piece, which “re-imagines” Sondheim’s Now-Later-Soon from A Little Night Music, will be included in the program.
ETHEL: Documerica
Tuesday, June 3, 2014 at 7:30pm, Aria
Co-presented with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra’s Liquid Music Series and the American Composers Forum
“ETHEL created a world in which classical music had never gown distant, a world in which it was as fresh and direct as crowds dancing in the street.” – The Wall Street Journal
A meditation on America’s relationship to our land—and to today’s environmental and social issues—the multimedia work Documerica melds multiple-screen video projections with music by some of today’s top composers (Mary Ellen Childs, Ulysses Owens Jr., Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate and James Kimo Williams), performed with electrifying virtuosity by alternative string quartet ETHEL. Created in collaboration with projections designer Deborah Johnson (Sufjan Stevens’ BQE) and directed by Steve Cosson, Documerica juxtaposes manipulated vintage 1970s visuals with the music of now. Inspired by and showcasing evocative imagery from Project Documerica, a 1970s photographic archive commissioned by the Environmental Protection Agency, the program explores this compelling snapshot of a tumultuous era. This will be the production’s first performance outside of New York.
About Schubert Club Mix
These concerts will be presented at Aria in Minneapolis, the former home of Theater de la Jeune Lune. Traditionally, a St. Paul based music organization primarily known for its International Artist Series at the Ordway, this venture marks The Schubert Club’s first series in Minneapolis since its new music collaborations with the Walker in the 1970s.
Barry Kempton, Artistic & Executive Director of The Schubert Club said, “I believe there are music-lovers in our community for whom the formality and rituals of a traditional classical music performance in a traditional concert venue are something of a deterrent to attending. Our idea behind Schubert Club Mix is to relax our presentation style and the ambiance of the venue without at all compromising the quality of the music-making. The opportunity to develop this new approach to classical music presenting in partnership with like-minded musical collaborators is a positive benefit to all parties, including the audience.”
The combination of the stylish warehouse architecture of Aria, informal seating and a contemporary presentation style by guest artists will give Schubert Club Mix presentations a relaxed and unconventional ambiance. Twin Cities audiences remember Theater de la Jeune Lune’s performances with warmth, and Schubert Club Mix intends to recreate the sense of adventure and discovery in its concert presentations at Aria. Refreshments will be available to enjoy during the performances and a variety of seating/standing options will be available for ticket-buyers.
During its recent strategic planning process, The Schubert Club Board of Directors amended its mission statement recognizing the need to adapt to 21st century expectations while still celebrating the history and traditions of a 130 year old arts organization. One of the key goals identified during this planning process was to broaden the audience age range by diversifying music programming to appeal to younger generations of audiences.
Ticket & Concert Information
All tickets $25 + $3 fees (no fees for 3-concert subscribers). General admission.
Season and single tickets to Schubert Club Mix will be available on Thursday, May 30 through The Schubert Club Ticket Office: (651) 292-3268 or Purchase online by clicking here.
More information about the series can be found by clicking here.
For more information on The Schubert Club and its programs please visit schubert.org
About The Schubert Club:
The Schubert Club is an internationally renowned performing arts organization dedicated to expanding the enjoyment of music through world-class recitals, premier educational programs and rare collections of musical treasures.
Founded in 1882, The Schubert Club maintains a highly regarded national and international reputation among leading classical music performers. Its International Artists Series has brought Jascha Heifetz, Arthur Rubinstein, Cecilia Bartoli, Alfred Brendel, Reneé Fleming and Yo-Yo Ma, among many others, to the Twin Cities to perform in recital for sold-out audiences. Following decades of musical collaboration, Music in the Park Series is now part of The Schubert Club. Founded over 30 years ago, Music in the Park Series engages outstanding artists and chamber ensembles to present concerts in St. Anthony Park’s United Church of Christ.
The Schubert Club is a member of the Arts Partnership, programming a vibrant future for the performing arts in downtown St. Paul together with The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, the Minnesota Opera and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
The organization’s website is schubert.org
About Aria
Aria is considered to be one of the contributing structures to the Minneapolis Warehouse Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was originally known as the Realty Warehouse Company building, and was designed by noted architect Cass Gilbert, who designed the state Capitol.
A fire in 1899 resulted in the need for additional work with the building, which continued for a decade. In 1991, the warehouse was converted into a theater. From 1992 to 2008, the building was home to the Theatre de la Jeune Lune, the celebrated company known for its rich and innovative style of theatre.
After the theater closed in 2008, the four story building remained vacant until 2010 when it was acquired by First & First LLC, a creative real estate company. First & First restored Aria to its historic glory, adding chic modern touches along the way. Aria reopened as an event venue, hosting galas, corporate events, weddings, conferences, and other social gatherings in addition to producing original programming.