Ne(x)tworks: Then ➤ Now ➤ Next? A Farewell Concert // ISSUE Project Room

Photo: Suzanne Fiol, February 2006 outside ISSUE Project Room Carroll Street Silo; for use on Ne(x)tworks' 2006 SILOMUSIC Artists-In-Residence brochure.

Thursday, October 24th, 2019, New York’s long-running creative music ensemble Ne(x)tworks presents its final performance at ISSUE Project Room, taking place during the exhibition Suzanne Fiol: TEN YEARS ALIVE which presents visual works by ISSUE’S founder Suzanne Fiol. The career-spanning program nods in many of the directions explored since the group’s first concert in June 2003, showcasing graphic and hybrid scores that expose the conceptual root elements of the Ne(x)tworks project.

The October 24th program includes historical graphic works by John Cage (Selections from Song Books [1970]) and Cornelius Cardew (selections from Schooltime Compositions [1968]) and spatialized works by Netherlands-based Australian composer Kate Moore (Sensitive Spot [2005] for solo piano and multi-channel audio, featuring group co-founder Steven Gosling) and co-founder Chris McIntyre (Sigmar [from 0] [2004], re-sited for ISSUE’s Boerum Place location from the original E. 6th St. space). Developing work by its composer-performer membership has been a foundational idea for Ne(x)tworks from its inception. In addition to McIntyre’s piece this concert highlights work by long-time members Miguel Frasconi (selections from his photographic score series Ne(x)traits [2009, rev 2019]), Shelley Burgon (the free flowing, through-composed glass trees [2007]), and Words on Water (shimmer) by esteemed vocalist and co-founder Joan La Barbara, progenitor (with co-founder Cornelius Dufallo) of the composer-performer ensemble concept that became Ne(x)tworks.

Ne(x)tworks’ relationship with ISSUE Project Room began early in both organizations’ histories. A number of seminal concerts in the group’s development were staged at ISSUE’s original East 6th Street and subsequent Carroll Street silo locations, including a collaborative festival event (with Whitney Museum) in 2005 presenting the music of James Tenney that brought new attention to the still-fledgling presenter. A strong bond grew between these musicians and ISSUE Founder Suzanne Fiol. This creative and interpersonal energy led to ISSUE enlisting Ne(x)tworks as one of its first official Artists In Residence (AIR) during the first half of 2006. Taking place in and around the silo on the Gowanus Canal, the group’s four residency concerts were artistically and creatively pivotal and provided focus that led Ne(x)tworks toward much of the acclaimed work they have pursued to this day.

PERSONNEL:
Joan La Barbara - voice, Co-Founder
Shelley Burgon - harp/elec., Member since 2006
Yves Dharamraj - cello, Member since 2006
Cornelius Dufallo - violin, Co-Founder
Miguel Frasconi - glass/elec., Member since 2006
Stephen Gosling - piano/synth, Co-Founder
Stephanie Griffin - viola, long-time collaborator
Ariana Kim - violin, Member since 2006
Chris McIntyre - trombone/elec., Co-Founder
Danny Tunick - percussion, long-time collaborator

PROGRAM (details on IPR Event Page)
John Cage Selections from Song Books (1970) [pre-concert]
Kate Moore Sensitive Spot (Music Out of The City) (2005)
Miguel Frasconi Ne(x)traits (2009, rev 2019)
Chris McIntyre Sigmar [from 0] (2004/19)
Shelley Burgon glass trees (2007)
Cornelius Cardew Selections from Schooltime Compositions (1968)
Joan La Barbara Words on Water (Shimmer) (2008, rev 2019)