The NSU Contemporary Music Ensemble will present a complete performance of French composer Erik Satie’s rarely heard Vexations in Magale Recital Hall on the campus of Northwestern State University. The performance will begin at 7:30 pm on Friday April 8, and conclude by 5:00 pm on Saturday April 9, 2011.
Erik Satie (1866-1925) is best known for his piano music including the famous Gymnopedies. Despite a lack of formal training Satie anticipated many of the most important trends in contemporary music including minimalism and performance art while influencing composers from Claude Debussy to John Cage.Composed in 1893 Vexations consists of a chorale melody based on an 11 note tone row followed by two variations which is then repeated 840 times. By performing the work at the suggested tempo a complete performance will last around 20 hours. According to Satie, “it would be advisable to prepare oneself beforehand, and in the deepest silence for serious immobility’s”. The work will be performed by a combination of vibraphone, piano and cello.
The NSU Contemporary Music Ensemble consists of NSU students Brad Smith, Nathan Glassy, J. C. Bryant, Corey Joachim and NSU faculty member Paul Christopher, all of whom are committed to the performance of new music as well as influential masterpieces of the past 150 years. Additionally, art major Jeremy Jones and faculty member Leslie Gruesbeck provided the artwork to enhance the performance.
Admission is free and open to the public. Audience members are invited to enter at any time during the performance or stay for the duration. In addition donations will be accepted to support the work of the Hub Ministry in their effort to help the homeless in the Shreveport/Bossier area. We invite you to generously support the Ministry’s work on behalf of those who are less fortunate while experiencing Satie’s visionary masterpiece.
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