On February 5, 2024, compositions by eight composers premiered at the Paulson Center in New York. This concert, prepared through several months of workshops and communication with a performer, was a collaboration with cellist Jacques Lee Wood. Nevermind the Noise composers Hyojin Kwak and Brandon Connors-Morrison participated in this performance.
Hyojin Kwak’s Nori (놀이) (2024) is a contemporary piece for solo cello and pedalboard inspired by the traditional Korean practice of tightrope walking. It merges avant-garde techniques with traditional Korean music elements, showcasing rhythmic patterns and playing techniques reminiscent of instruments like the Ajaeng and Geomungo. Through string flicking, wide vibrato, and ornamentation, it captures the essence of Korean musical traditions.
Brandon Connors-Morrison’s Jammin With Extra Terrestrials (2024) is a solo piece that explores the idea that our perception of music is based on our experiences and cultural background. It also considers the possibility that extraterrestrial beings may have a unique understanding of what music is, even if it’s obscure to us. This is achieved by using a familiar instrument and then adding some additional sound qualities and dissonances to change the style of the music with the use of electric guitar pedals.
Jacques Lee Wood is a dynamic musician dedicated to pushing boundaries in the realm of music. Since assuming the role of Principal Cellist with the Cape Symphony in 2018, he has continually sought innovative avenues for artistic exploration. Notably, Jacques co-founded Antico Moderno, a chamber ensemble focused on period instruments, StringLab, a collaboration with guitarist Simon Powis, and Cathedral Parkway, a bluegrass band based in NYC. He actively engages in chamber music, performing with ensembles like the Pedroia String Quartet and musiConnects’ Sumner Quartet, while also making guest appearances with renowned orchestras such as A Far Cry and the Handel and Haydn Society. Jacques’s academic journey includes studies at the New England Conservatory of Music (BM) and Yale University (MM, DMA), solidifying his expertise and passion for musical innovation.
If you’re interested in this concert, check out this YouTube video:
We appreciate your interest in our Nevermind the Noise composers’ event. As Nevermind the Noise composers, we are committed to reciprocating your support with imaginative, distinctive, and exceptional music.