janus trio to Premiere New Paul Lansky Commission

The rush of exciting premieres continues on the Ariel Artist roster as janus trio takes the stage at Princeton University tonight to unveil their newly commissioned work from composer Paul Lansky, “Book of Memory.” Using William Blake’s poem “Song: Memory, hither come” as his text, incorporating singing as well as percussive elements, and making use of very traditional harmonic and contrapuntal language, Lansky creates a piece that is as much a look back as it is a look forward, and a perfect fit for the similarly double-facing Roman god Janus, after whom the janus trio takes their name. The group received a commission grant for the piece last year from Chamber Music America.

Also on the program will be a revised edition of Cenk Ergün‘s (pictured above) piece “An,” also written for janus. The composer shares the following insight into this 2005 commission: “The essence of the piece lies in the minute differences between each sound produced by each instrument. The differences are magnified by use of minimal musical material placed sparsely in time. These deceivingly similar events of sound stand in time like a school of fish does in water, each fish a unique entity when examined closely.”

All in all, another amazing evening of music!

janus trio at Public Assembly’s “Inside the Whale” Saturday!

New York’s janus trio continue their 2012 rampage with a show tonight at one of our favorite venues in New York, Public Assembly. The place knows no boundaries and we’re almost already taking its adventurous programming for granted — shouldn’t we be able to have indie rock, bass parties, art shows, hip-hop  nights and new classical ensembles at every club in town?  If that ever happens, thank the people at Public Assembly for proving that it rules. This weekend’s latest concert for the Inside the Whale series gives you yet another reason to check it out.

Saturday, janus joins fellow New Amsterdam records artists Big Farm.  Big Farm is a supergroup of sorts, featuring composer Steven Mackey on electric guitar, Pulitzer Prize finalist Rinde Eckert on vocals, Jason Treuting of So Percussion on drums, and Mark Haanstra on bass, has not performed in New York since performing with janus in 2010.

Details for this concert:

Saturday, April 7 at 7:30pm in the Back Room

Public Assembly

70 North 6th Street

Brooklyn, NY

janus trio at Ecstatic Music Festival Feb. 23

There’s still time to grab your ticket  to hear janus trio at the Ecstatic Music Festival, next Thursday, February 23. The trio will be sharing the stage with Jason Treuting (So Percussion), Nick Zammuto (The Books), Grey McMurray (Knights on Earth, itsnotyouitsme) and Daisy Press. Every piece of music that night will be brand spanking new and the group promises:  ”IT WILL BE KILLER.”

Follow this link to read what Allan Kozinn from the New York Times says about the Festival and good friend, composer extraordinaire Angelica Negron (who performed last week).

The Ecstatic Music Festival is hosted by New Amsterdam Records and the Kaufman Center.  There are several tickets options at different price levels. Follow this link for more info, tickets and sound samples of all the artists participating.

janus trio Talks New Music and NYC Grub at I Care If You Listen

A bit before janus trio‘s recent performance at Masters and Pelavin Gallery in New York, they were visited by Thomas Deneuville from one of our favorite blogs ever, I Care If You Listen.  Deneuville sat down for a chat with the trio and talked a bit about their album i am not, the evolution of their performances and rep, and their favorite spots in New York.  Click here for the video at ICIYL — we can only hope for more like this from ICIYL (so far there are great posts about composer Kate Moore, videographer and musical experimenter Florent Ghys, and more).

janus trio Awarded Chamber Music America Grant!

Chamber Music America delivered the great news that they’ve chosen janus trio as one of a very select few recipients of its 2011 grants for commission!  The trio joins an elite class of ensembles this year and will be putting the grant toward new work from the incredible, pioneering composer Paul Lansky in creating a new trio piece.  We’re extremely excited by this honor and can’t wait to hear where Lansky and the group take us in the near future.

Visit Chamber Music America’s website for more info.

“I had the good fortune to work with Janus in 2011 (as a composer and a concert organiser) during the group’s first collaboration with Columbia Composers, an organisation which promotes the work of Columbia University’s graduate students in composition. The concert took place at The Tank on March 4, 2011.

The Janus musicians brought a passion and enthusiasm to the rehearsal process which is rare and, for a composer, of immeasurable value. Their performance was full of virtuosity and was marked by the unity one finds only among groups of musicians with a real rapport and collective sensibility. The concert-space was full, and the performance was unanimously well received by an audience of new-music connoisseurs and newcomers alike. Our experience with Janus was a very positive one; I wish Amanda, Nuiko & Beth all the best and hope to work with them again in the future!”

–Paul Clift, composer

“The Janus Trio’s 2011 recital was a highlight of our season, technically brilliant and polished while still relaxed, hip and engaging.”

–Dr. Jacqueline LeClair, Director, MidAmerican Center for Contemporary Music, Bowling Green State University

Ariel Artists Welcomes the janus trio to the Roster

We’re overjoyed to announce the addition of the newest ensemble in our roster, the incredible janus trio: Amanda Baker (flute), Beth Meyers (viola), and Nuiko Wadden (harp).  Based in Brooklyn, the janus trio has quickly built a great reputation for amazing interpretations of traditional and brand new repertoire, from Ravel and Debussy to Toru Takemitsu, Arvo Pärt and David Lang.  We’re thrilled to have on board a group so active in exploring these works as well as seeking out new work from incredible young composers and the composition departments of Princeton, Colgate, NYU, Columbia and Cornell Universities.  The group has performed these works with pioneering spirit in all kinds of venues, from the Kennedy Center to Joe’s Pub and Le Poisson Rouge.  Our minds are already buzzing with the possibilities in store for this unbelievable group next season!

“An immediately rewarding and unguardedly pleasurable listening experience”

–Newark Star-Ledger

“janus trio proves we’re in a golden age of chamber music.”

–Studio 360