Rapid Ear Movement Opens Symphony Space's THE MUSIC OF NOW Today

Today, February 1 (2 - 11 pm), Symphony Space will present The Music of Now Marathon: Rapid Ear Movement (REM), centering on the rich theme of sleep and dreams. Now in its fifth year, The Music of Now Marathon brings together a characteristically diverse group of artists, headlined by Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble. The Music of Now Marathon kicks off Symphony Space's two-month The Music of Now Series, which continues with seven additional concerts through March 27.

The stellar lineup also features the Metropolis Ensemble, the Cassatt, Escher, and Carpe Diem String Quartets, Du Yun, Martha Mooke, Angélica Negrón, Talujon, Miles Okazaki + Dan Weiss, Mimi Jones, and NYC's InterSchool Orchestras Symphony + Symphonic Band. In addition, composer Kaija Saariaho will engage in a dialog with Monk on dreams, memories, and imagination, and noted sleep researcher Dr. Markus J. Schmidt will speak on the science of sleep and dreams. Throughout, several new works will have their world premieres.

The Music of Now Marathon is curated by Symphony Space's Artistic Director, Laura Kaminsky. Described by Time Out New York as "a massive gathering of adventurous musicmakers," it has become one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the season. Due to popular demand, the Marathon will now be held in the spacious Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space. All tickets are $20, available at www.symphonyspace.org.

Rapid Ear Movement (REM) is divided into eight sections:

Dreaming the future: The music of now - and tomorrow - from the best young musicians and composers of today. Featuring works by eleven young (ages 10-13) composers, premiered by the Metropolis Ensemble.

Electric Dreams: Digital dreamscapes by composer/performers Du Yun and Angélica Négron.

A Dream is a Solitary Journey: Spotlighting solo works.

Altered States" Strange dreams. Karlheinz Stockhausen speaks on film about dreams as inspiration; Talujon plays his music.

Dreaming Shakespeare: A favorite theme of the Bard inspires new works, including dance.

The Science of Sleep and Dreams: Featuring a talk by Dr. Markus J. Schmidt, President and Medical Director of the Ohio Sleep Medicine Institute, and two premieres

The Duo Dreams Together: A jazz folie à deux with Miles Okazaki (guitar) and Dan Weiss (drums).

Memories and Visions: Saariaho's Terra Memoria, a dialog between Monk and Saariaho, and Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble in Monk's Madwoman's Vision and Memory Song.

Symphony Space traces its beginnings to a free marathon concert, Wall to Wall Bach, held in 1978 and organized by co-founders Isaiah Sheffer and Allan Miller. The music marathon then drew thousands of visitors and has since become one of the organization's signature events. Today Symphony Space presents more than 600 events each season, including music, dance, theater, film, and literary readings. Some of its best known programs include Selected Shorts, a reading of short stories by stars of stage and screen, and one of the most popular series on public radio; the Thalia Film Club, a trendy film club hosted by Marshall Fine featuring pre-release screenings and behind-the-scenes conversations with film stars; Just Kidding, one of the most talked about family entertainment series around town; and, more recently, The Music of Now, presenting an eclectic range of music in all styles and sensibilities, focusing on emerging artists and unusual work. Uptown Showdown has been called "New York's best comedy series" by New York Magazine. For more information, visit symphonyspace.org.

Symphony Space is located at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street. Box office hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 1 pm - 6 pm, open two hours prior to performances and events. Tickets can also be purchased through www.symphonyspace.org, or by calling 212/864-5400.