Dreams and Rituals

Since 1967, John Heiss has taught NEC students the roots of 20th-century modernism both in the classroom and as a conductor and coach. His courses on Ives, Schoenberg, and Stravinsky have shaped generations of musicians. Due to the accuracy of his ear in rehearsals, Stravinsky called him "the pitch doctor."

Each year Heiss recruits students interested in performing 20th- and 21st-century music to join the NEC Contemporary Ensemble. Tonight's program is solidly rooted in late 20th-century modernism, with music from the 1970s and '80s that Heiss describes as "sonic landscapes haunted by dreams and rituals of activity."

Completed in 1970 and inspired by the Vietnam War, George Crumb's Black Angels draws on fearsome sounds well outside the conventions of the string quartet to pay off its inscription "in tempore belli" ("in time of war"). The opening movement, "Night of the Electric Insects," evokes the menace of invisible helicopters flying overhead. From there, Crumb's program takes the listener on a haunted journey through "lost bells" and "ancient voices."

Berio from Duetti
Robyn Bollinger and Diamanda La Berge Dramm, violin

Crumb Black Angels for electric string quartet
Tessa Lark and Liesl Schoenberger, violin
Wenting Kang, viola
Emileigh Vandiver, cello

Kurtág Bagatelles
Lisa Husseini, flute
Edward Kass, double bass
Carlos Gonzalo Farias, piano

Schnittke String Quartet No. 3
Seuss Quartet:
Jacob Malkin and Alexander Kenney, violin
Emily Deans, viola
Jonathan Dormand, cello