Concert | Technology and Classical Music Collide

The events of the past two years have accelerated the development of remote collaboration technology. Zach Lapidus and Eli Asher will be joined by contemporary classical music specialist and improvisor Carrie Frey in a live concert bringing these innovations into the concert hall in an engaging set of interactive performances.

Eli Asher, Trumpet, Computer Programming, and Physical Data Controllers; Zach Lapidus, Piano, Computer Programming, Modular Synthesizer, and Physical Data Controllers; Carrie Frey, Viola, Physical Data Controllers.

Program:
EtherNotes
Computer-generated music notation will be generated live (with and without audience input), displayed on the projection screen, and interpreted by the performers.

Grand and Humble Gestures
This set will use graphic notation and shapes instead of conventional notation, and visuals and audio will be generated in real-time interaction with the players. They'll all be outfitted with controllers that pick up their movements and translate them into sound and visuals.

Sonic Gardeners
Multiple speakers (and possibly computers) will be placed around the concert hall, transforming it into an immersive sonic environment. The trio will roam the hall, interacting with the electronic sound, which will in turn respond to the improvisers.


Eli Asher's longest musical relationships have been with the Bjorkestra and with the Respect Sextet, who the The New York Times called "ambitious music with a smart-alecky affect, ranging broadly from the antic to the deadpan". He has also performed with Bang on a Can's Asphalt Orchestra, Tilt Brass, Darcy James Argue's Secret Society, The Gregory Brothers, Signal Ensemble, Slavic Soul Party!, and Jose Gonzalez, in venues ranging from the Blue Note in New York City, to the Montreal Jazz Festival, to the Teatro Manzoni in Milan.

Zach Lapidus is a pianist, synthesist, composer, and teacher currently based in Brooklyn, NY. He was awarded a fellowship at Ravinia's Steans Institute for Young Artists, and he was named as one of five finalists for the American Pianists Association's 2015 Jazz Fellowship Awards, and was selected as a finalist for their 2011 competition as well.

Carrie Frey is a violist, teacher, improviser, and composer based in New York City. Frey is the violist of the Rhythm Method ("a group of individuals with distinct compositional voices and a collective vision for the future of the string quartet" - I Care If You Listen) and a founding member of string trio Chartreuse and string quartet Desdemona. She has performed with many of New York City's notable new music groups, including Wet Ink Large Ensemble, AMOC, Talea Ensemble, and International Contemporary Ensemble.