new modern

every once in awhile we get to do things that are totally out of the ordinary, and tonight s and i enjoyed just such an experience. i got tickets to "fred sherry plays zorn" through my work, an hour plus of experimental modern cello music. i played the cello for about eight years and i love the instrument--it has a sound like the human voice, and it truly sings, from the low low dug out notes and to the ethereal high harmonics--but this was the cello like i had never heard it. the first piece "777" was three cellos playing simultaneously, occasionally in unison (which was always a pleasant surprise) but usually out of synch, careening from low to high and sliding back down, with aggressive pizzicatos and delicate tremolos. it was so unusual i couldn't help but smile. the trio for piano, violin and cello was my favorite; john zorn (the composer) described it as inspired by andre breton (an artist i have studied and am intrigued by) and with the goal of being lyrical and french. it sounded like the soundtrack to a dream, but a dream that cannot decide if it is good or bad. it was intense music, sometimes achingly sweet, sometimes jarring and suspenseful. i really enjoyed it. the third piece was dedicated to the artist joseph cornell, whose work i really admire and enjoy, but the piece was not my favorite of the three. the works were peppered with discussion between fred sherry, the cellist, and john zorn, the composer (moderated by charles wuorinen, another modern composer, who came off a little like an overeager professor.) oh, and it was at the guggenheim, which happens to be my most favorite museum in nyc. (they were working to install a new show while we were there which i cannot wait to go see.)

i like stretching myself, experiencing new art forms, learning something instead of just going through the daily motions. (you know, like being the reason nyc sucks now.) it was a totally wonderful night, the kind of magical night i could only have in this city in which something new is always happening.