Day 3 of Big Ears followed the pattern of the first two days – beginning and ending with excellent if not transcendent performances.
Present Music / Carla Kihlstedt
I’ve been aware of Present Music for years but never managed to catch them until now. After two shorter commissioned pieces, they played Kihlstedt’s musical take on the Gashlycrumb Tinies. It was a rich combination of modern classical and musical theater with many laugh out loud moments. And Carla is an excellent singer.
Lia Kohl
Kohl played solo cello accompanied by field recordings and loops. There was more of the latter than the former, at least initially.
Sylvie Courvoisier – Chimaera
A veritable supergroup, with Courvoisier joined by Wadada Leo Smith, Ikue Mori, Nate Wooley, Drew Gress, Nasheet Waits, and Kenny Wollesen. The piece was rather slow and sparse, however, but as well-played as you might imagine.
Claire Chase & Mivos Quartet
Chase led Mivos through an unfinished new piece by Terry Riley titled The Holy Liftoff. It features overdubbed flute and strings covering a wide variety of styles in Riley’s signature minimalism.
Ahmed
Another, brilliant, brilliant performance from this UK free-improv quartet. In terms of structure, it was similar to the previous night’s piece – mind-blowing intensity that never let up. By the end the drummer and bassist had both sweat through their shirts.
