Composer Debra Kaye's IKARUS Comes to New York Composers Circle, 11/14

Acclaimed American composer Debra Kaye's work Ikarus (Duo for Binya) for violin and viola has been programmed by the New York Composers Circle on its String Quartet and Strings program, Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Dimenna Center for Classical Music, 450 West 37th Street, New York, NY. Admission is $20. The work features violinist, Gregor Kitzis and violist, Artie Dibble.

Ikarus (Duo for Binya) was commissioned by the Community Music Center of Portland and saw its premiere in Portland and subsequently its New York premiere on the National Association of Composers USA's Spring Serenade concert last year. This performance marks the world premiere of the expanded version.

Kaye has been hailed as "a unique voice in American music" for her "transcendent, witty, colorful and profound" works blending her deep classical roots with a wide range of influences including jazz, world music, folk, experimental improvisation, world events and sounds of daily life. With a catalogue of close to 50 works, chamber and orchestral music, art songs, a choral and theatrical composition, her work has been honored with multiple ASCAP Plus Awards for her "creative contributions to American music." Her debut CD And So It Begins, produced by Grammy winning Judith Sherman, was recognized as "an album that will surely stand the test of time," and included on Ted Gioia's list of top 100 CDs.

The 2017-18 season will see a number of new commissions including a string quartet commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Howland Chamber Music Circle (Beacon, NY), and a Fantasy for flute and piano. Her Ikarus Among the Stars for orchestra was commissioned by the Portland Youth Philharmonic and had its world premiere last season. Kaye's music has been programmed at New York City venues including Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall, Bargemusic, the Ethical Cultural Society and Steinway Hall. Other venues featuring her work are the Sacramento River Music Festival, the Stony Brook Chamber Music Festival, Emory University, and the Hartt School of Music, among others. In addition to her work as a composer, future plans include writing a series of pieces for the New Music Box blog. Italian publisher Odoya recently included Kaye in its book "Guide to Women Composers."

The concert will also include Gorman Quartet by Frederick Boyle, Love Is Not a Suburu by Tamara Cashour, Hyssop by Jinhyee Han, excerpts from String Quartet by Eric Heilner, excerpts from String Quartet by Peter Kelsh and String Quartet 2 by Craig Slon. Other artists on the program include violinist, Katie Thomas and cellist, Dave Egger from the Klang String Quartet and guitarist, Grant Swift Glidden.

The New York Composers Circle is an organization of composers and performers dedicated to new music whose mission is to promote public awareness and appreciation of contemporary music through four concerts each season, monthly salons and other events in the New York metropolitan area.

For more information, visit www.debrakayecomposer.com.