The Southern Theater Presents So Percussion, 4/29 & 4/30

By: BWW News Desk Mar. 29, 2010

Since its formation at the Yale School of Music, So Percussion has been creating music that is at turns raucous and touching, barbarous and heartfelt. Believing that percussion instruments can communicate all the extremes of emotion and musical possibility, they've created a sound not easy to define. Called an "experimental powerhouse" by The Village Voice and "brilliant" by The New York Times, the Brooklyn-based quartet's innovative work has quickly helped them forge a unique and diverse career.

So Percussion's Southern Theater debut will feature the regional premiere of 2009 Pulitzer Prize-winner Steve Reich's Mallet Quartet for two vibraphones and two marimbas, written exclusively for So Percussion and slotted for Carnegie Hall in 2011, as well as the world premiere of acclaimed Minneapolis-based composer Mary Ellen Childs' And So for four players on two marimbas complimented by incidental percussion.

"I love writing for percussion of all kinds. Such rich and varied textures and sonic possibilities," said Childs. "So Percussion is one of the finest groups going and I'm delighted to be writing a new piece expressly for them and Marimba 2010."

Program:
Music for Pieces of Wood by Steve Reich
And So by Mary Ellen Childs
String of Pearls by David Lang
Mallet Quartet by Steve Reich
It is Time by Steve Mackey

Show times: April 29 & 30, 2010
Thurs. at 7:30pm, Fri. at 8pm
Pre-show reception at 6:30pm (Thurs), 7:00pm (Fri) sponsored by The Red Stag Supperclub
Tickets: $20
Southern Theater box office: 612.340.1725
1420 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55454
www.southerntheater.org

Join us for conversation with So Percussion: Wednesday, April 28 at 8pm
Part of the Making Music series at the University of Minnesota
Full event info at http://www.coffman.umn.edu/whole/themes/makingmusic.php