I opened my email this past week to a message that made me (for perhaps the thousandth time) bemoan the fact that I do not live in New York City. It was from the Wordless Music series, which is a wholly awesome conceptual series of concerts uniting classical and contemporary art forms. Their philosophy states:The Wordless Music Series is devoted to the idea that the sound worlds of classical and contemporary instrumental music -- in genres such as indie rock, free jazz, and electronic music -- share more in common than conventional thinking might suggest. To illustrate the continuity between these worlds, the series will pair rock and electronic musicians in an intimate concert setting with more traditionally understood classical and chamber music performers. In doing so, the series will bring together audiences and introduce listeners of both classical and contemporary music to composers that they might otherwise not encounter, for a completely new concert experience. It will also demonstrate that the various boundaries and genre distinctions segregating music today -- "popular" and "classical; "uptown" and "downtown"; "high" art and "low" -- are an artificial construction in need of dismantling.An outstanding concept, right? Well, throughout the past year, they've backed it up with astounding shows, many of which were/are free, featuring Deerhoof (coming July 18th), Grizzly Bear, Prefuse 73, Do Make Say Think, and many others paired with classical music.
Now, to Max Richter. Throughout the last four nights of July, he will perform his new album 24 Postcards In Full Colour (out July 21st), as well as his three previous albums -- in their entirety. Max Richter will fit right in with this concert series, as his music is a seamless blend of "classical" compositions and contemporary influences. His 2004 album The Blue Notebooks is a masterpiece, and one of the most moving albums released in the last decade. Whenever I listen to the beautiful "On The Nature Of Daylight," I can't help but close my eyes and swoon. And wish I lived in New York City.
Max Richter - On The Nature Of Daylight (from The Blue Notebooks)
Max Richter - Vladimir's Blues (from The Blue Notebooks)
I share your sadness in not being able to witness the Wordless Music Series, Max Richter especially. He's a modern genius and his work is truly amazing. Maybe he'll hit Boston sometime on a 24 Postcards tour. We can hope, right? Somehow, though, I doubt we'll ever be able to experience a live performance of The Blue Notebooks.