NEW CD: EXTENDED FAMILY
In February 2010 Neil will begin production of his next CD for Innova Recordings. Beginning with a concert and recording sessions in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's new EMPAC Concert Hall, the CD should be released in late 2010. It will feature ETHEL performing the title piece for amplified string quartet, Bob Gluck performing Faith for piano with Neil on computer, and a solo laptop performance of Neil's MONO Prelude. Innova also released Neil's last three CDs, Shadow Quartet in 2005, Digits in 2006 and The Economic Engine in 2009.
MONO
Most of Neil's work for 2010 is focused on the development of MONO, a large, evening long piece exploring the fagility of perception. The piece is driven by his experience of losing hearing in his left ear between 9:30 and 11am on March 31, 2008. That experience is documented in his Hearingblog. On the way to developing the full length performance, Neil has been developing a number of smaller works for performances in 2009 and early 2010.
The MONO Prelude, for solo laptop, was premiered on tour in China, with performances in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong in October and November 2009. The Prelude was then further developed as part of a residency at the Serial Underground concerts in New York City, and will be included on Neil's new CD, Extended Family.
Another excerpt, for string trio, laptop and video, will be premiered at the Cutting Edge Concerts at the Thalia Theater in NYC on April 19, 2010. A third study for MONO, for larger ensemble, will be performed at the Flea Theater on the Music With A View series on May 2, 2010. From mid-May through mid-June, Neil will be at the MacDowell Colony, in Peterborough, NH, where he will begin putting together the full score and text for MONO. Stay tuned for news of where and when to hear the first performance in 2011.