The program, which features a performance from Play On, Philly! students, kicks off a “Season of Community Collaborations.”
PHILADELPHIA – Music nonprofit LiveConnections’ 2017-18 concert series begins with the unlimited imagination and powerhouse artistry of the Fifth House Ensemble, which joins Grammy-winner Jason Vieaux, “perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation” (NPR), to perform a one-night only concert including Dan Visconti’s “Living Language” on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 7:30PM at World Cafe Live, Philadelphia.
“Fifth House Ensemble perfectly embodies LiveConnections approach to music-making: collaborative, curious and adventurous,” said LiveConnections Presents concert curator Mary Javian. “Jason is a longtime friend and frequent LiveConnections collaborator. His exquisite playing and free spirit make him an audience favorite.”
Visconti’s 30-minute guitar concerto covers a “broad musical landscape” with elements of “prog rock, neoclassicism, heavy metal, Arabian folk music, country blues” and more (San Francisco Chronicle). Additional ensemble and solo guitar works round out an inventive, not-your-standard-classical-music program.
In keeping with LiveConnections’ educational mission, students from Play On, Philly! will open the concert on December 13, and the artists will present two LiveConnections Bridge Sessions (interactive, educational concerts) for 300 public school students on December 14.
The 2017-18 LiveConnections Presents concert series, which features collaborative concerts especially for adventurous music-lovers, dares to ask a bold question: Can music build community? The season’s performances provide the opportunity for musicians to create distinctive, boundary-blurring music, often involving new commissions and world premieres, while collaborating with members of the greater Philadelphia community and beyond.
“These concerts blur the line between audiences and performers,” said LiveConnections Presents concert curator Mary Javian. “At LiveConnections we believe the communities we work with, including youth from public schools and individuals with disabilities, are all potential collaborators.”
Tickets to the Wednesday, December 13 program ($30, $20 for students) are currently available at liveconnections.org. Press tickets can be requested by contacting Bryan Buttler at bryanbuttler@gmail.com.
Details
LiveConnections Presents Fifth House Ensemble and Jason Vieaux
Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 7:30PM
World Cafe Live – Downstairs
3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Fifth House Ensemble
The Chicago-Based Fifth House Ensemble is a versatile and dynamic group praised by The New York Times for its “conviction, authority, and finesse.” Having pioneered the art of narrative chamber music, Fifth House’s innovative programs engage audiences through their connective programming and unexpected performance venues. Bringing its signature connective programming from the stage to the classroom, 5HE develops young audiences through curriculum-integrated interactive concerts and residencies for students grades K-12. This season’s residency sites include Chicago’s Lowell and Stowe Elementary schools. 5HE is currently the ensemble in residence at Music Institute of Chicago, and in 2012 launched fresh inc, a one of a kind chamber music festival that brings together composers and instrumentalists for side-by-side performances, receiving creative presentation and entrepreneurship training. For more information, visit fifth-house.com.
About Jason Vieaux
Grammy-winner Jason Vieaux, “perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation” (NPR), is the guitarist that goes beyond the classical. His latest solo album, “Play,” won the 2015 Grammy for Best Classical Instrumental Solo. Recital highlights include performances at Caramoor, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Ravinia, 92Y, Bard Music, Strings Music Festival, and many others. He has performed as soloist with over 100 orchestras and his passion for new music has fostered premieres by Avner Dorman, Dan Visconti, Vivian Fung, José Luis Merlin, and more. In 2011, he co-founded the guitar department at The Curtis Institute of Music, and in 2015 was invited to inaugurate the guitar program at the Eastern Music Festival. Vieaux has taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music since 1997, heading the guitar department since 2001. He has received a Naumburg Foundation top prize, a Cleveland Institute of Music Alumni Achievement Award, GFA International Guitar Competition First Prize, and a Salon di Virtuosi Career Grant. Vieaux was the first classical musician to be featured on NPR’s “Tiny Desk” series. Jason Vieaux plays a 2013 Gernot Wagner guitar with Augustine strings. For more information, visit www.jasonvieaux.com.
About LiveConnections
LiveConnections, a nonprofit organization in residence at World Cafe Live, creates programs that inspire learning and build community through collaborative music-making. In 2008, a team of artists, educators and entrepreneurs founded LiveConnections to address declining music education in Philadelphia schools and tap into the people-connecting power of music. Across all of our programs, LiveConnections is committed to artistry of the highest caliber, collaboration, community-building and accessibility/inclusion. We approach live music as an essential social and educational experience that helps create engaged and well-rounded global citizens.
Each year, LiveConnections reaches 5,000 participants with our dynamic educational programs. Bridge Sessions, our signature interactive performances at World Cafe Live, blend live music with hands-on activities. Sessions introduce students from Philadelphia public schools and youth and adults with disabilities to diverse musical cultures and build skills in listening, expressing ideas and synthesizing new information. We also offer in-school and after-school residencies at partner schools, providing sustained, in-depth music-making experiences for young people from under-resourced schools.
LiveConnections prioritizes accessibility for people with disabilities who face barriers to participation in the arts. We present Bridge Sessions and in-facility workshops targeted for youth and adults with cognitive and physical disabilities, and our interactive, adaptive approach means individuals may fully engage at their own ability levels.
In addition, LiveConnections curates a critically acclaimed concert series featuring adventurous, boundary-crossing collaborations. Our LiveConnections Presents concerts feature Grammy winners, local talent and rising stars; we frequently commission new music that blends musical styles and cultures; and our concert artists participate in our educational and community programming.
For more information, visit liveconnections.org.