Born in Philadelphia on March 12, 1921, Ralph Shapey began musical training in violin at age 7. At 16, he began studying violin with Emanuel Zeitlin and embarked on composition studies with the German composer Stefan Wolpe. More »
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Artistic Director
Marta Ptaszyńska
MARTA PTASZYNSKA is one of the best internationally-known Polish composers today. She is the author of such works as the Concerto for Marimba, Winter’s Tale, Sonnets to Orpheus, and Moon Flowers, as well as numerous compositions for percussion (Siderals, Graffito, Spider Walk, Space Model, Letter to the Sun) which have been performed frequently around the world. More »
Talea Ensemble
The Talea Ensemble has been labeled “…a crucial part of the New York cultural ecosphere” by the New York Times. Recipient of the 2014 CMA/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, the ensemble has given many important world and US premieres of new works by composers including Pierre Boulez, Tristan Murail, Olga Neuwirth, John Zorn, Unsuk Chin, Rand Steiger, Beat Furrer, and Fausto Romitelli. More »
Michael Weyandt
Lyric baritone Michael Weyandt continues to engage audiences with his “virile, ardent” singing and “notable characterizations” in an increasingly diverse repertoire. He has performed under conductors such as James Levine (Guglielmo in Cosi fan tutte, Masetto in Don Giovanni) and Lorin Maazel (Junius in The Rape of Lucretia, Marco in Gianni Schicchi), and his repertoire spans from the hero Fernando in Handel’s first opera, Almira, to standard repertoire, most recently Marcello and Schaunard in La Bohème, to contemporary works, such as the Muse in Clint Borzoni’s When Adonis Calls, Pete Dayton in Olga Neuwirth’s adaptation of David Lynch’s film Lost Highway, and the Reciter in Eight Songs for a Mad King.
Five From Afar, April 9 / Tomorrow's Music Today, May 5
Ensemble Dal Niente
Noted for its presentation of “bracing sonic adventures” (Chicago Tribune), Ensemble Dal Niente, “a superb contemporary-music collective” (The New York Times), aims to drive musical discourse with adventurous projects that exhibit an ambitious range of aesthetic values tied to contemporary life and culture. The ensemble performs music written for large ensemble, chamber music, and solo works, each with relentless attention to interpretation. Dal Niente works with a range of composers, from emerging and established living artists to the post-World War II avant-garde generation. Recent projects include a collaboration with Deerhoof and Marcos Balter; a tour of Latin American countries; performances and recordings of works by George Lewis; an East Coast tour of German music; the Hard Music, Hard Liquor concert series and its annual Party. With each project, programs are curated and presented in ways that highlight the music’s relationship with our culture and society.
Five From Afar, April 9
Kontras Quartet
Dmitri Pogorelov, Violin
Francois Henkins, Violin
Ben Harper, Viola
Jean Hatmaker, Cello
Admired for their “superlative artistry” (CVNC Arts Journal), the Kontras Quartet has established an international following for their vibrant and nuanced performances. More »