Carbon neutral programming?

Some thoughts about the upcoming concerts next week. As you can read on our website calendar page, the Providence String Quartet and CMW Players are presenting concert programs at the West End Community Center (Oct. 25) and the Bell Street Chapel (Oct. 26), two familiar venues in Providence’s West End that we visit annually.

In addition to Ludwig van Beethoven’s string quartets opus 74 and opus 18 No. 4, the PSQ will perform Chance by Anthony Green. Minna, Chloe, and Laura will perform Was That the Rain Thrush Singing in the Blue Olive Tree? by Mitchell Clark.

Anthony Green and Mitchell Clark are two of nine local composers that we have asked to contribute works to be performed during CMW’s 11th season. Last weekend, Jesse and guest artist Amy Cheng performed Garrison Hull’s sonata for violin and piano in Providence and Bristol, and coming up in mid-December, the PSQ will perform Steve Jobe’s 4 Movements for string quartet and soprano. [Read about these nine local composers here.]

How did this Listen Local project come about? It seems a natural fit for a neighborhood-based organization like Community MusicWorks, since the PSQ is often approached by artists that they meet around town who are interested in collaborating with Providence’s resident string quartet. Kate Sullivan’s Pinocchio, for instance. Or Sheri Wills’ Light of Bach at the Athenaeum and West End gym.

When we all sat down last March to start thinking about programming ideas for the 07-08 season, there were plenty of votes for Beethoven quartets and an all-Dvorak program, but there was also considerable interest in the idea of putting CMW "on the map" as a resource for new music. We thought about the idea of presenting an all-Providence composers concert at some point during the season, but quickly realized that there was the potential to include more composers than it would be feasible to fit into one concert program. As part of CMW’s commitment to achieving an impact locally, it seemed clear that here was an opportunity to effect Rhode Island’s music scene by providing opportunities for Rhode Islanders to hear music written by their neighbors.

We’re lucky to have Laura as a Fellow, as that has created the opportunity for CMW and Mem1 to co-present CTRL+ALT+REPEAT twice in Providence, providing a venue for experimental electronics and new music.

And it certainly is a bonus to have a resident composer at CMW in Jessie Montgomery. Truly "resident" in that she is a member of the Providence String Quartet AND she lives just three blocks from the office! Jessie is reworking Strum for string quintet into a quartet version that will be featured during the PSQ’s January performances, including visits to New York City’s Symphony Space (January 25) and Jessie’s childhood alma mater, the Third Street Music School Settlement (January 26).

Back to the upcoming concerts next week. Unfortunately, Ludwig is unable to make either performance, but Anthony and Mitchell will be there to introduce their works. I feel confident predicting their attendance because they have both been over to the CMW office to listen in on recent rehearsals. And we didn’t have to reimburse their travel expenses.

-Heath Marlow, CMW staff