BWW Interview: Toshiyuki Shimada, Joseph Butch Rovan of SCATTERING at Garde Arts Center
by Ariana Straznicky-Packer - Mar 31, 2022
On February 19, 2022, I had the opportunity to perform with Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra (ECSO) in the world premiere of Scattering, a ground-breaking electroacoustic piece that explores two of today's most prominent world events: the Covid-19 pandemic and the death of George Floyd, all the while including a brand new instrument especially designed for the orchestra conductor to wear on his wrist, performing alongside the musicians.
In the months prior to the performance, the ECSO recorded small excerpts which the composer, Joseph Butch Rovan, then analyzed and reimagined, changing the sound entirely and making it coordinate with a special wrist-worn device during the live performance. The device, called TOSHI (The Orchestra Synthesis Human Interface) was expertly worn by its namesake, Toshi Shimada, the ECSO conductor. The piece continues to break barriers with not only the invention of a new instrument, but by making it one that the conductor wears to make him a performer alongside the symphony musicians. Furthermore, the device communicates with the composer’s laptop at the back of the audience, sending out a variety of sounds (including the sound of a person exhaling) through the surround system at the theater.
After learning about this novel work, I wanted to learn more, so I sat down with the conductor and composer just before the premiere.
RIOULT Dance NY to Present BACH DANCES at Manhattan School of Music, 10/9
by Tyler Peterson - Sep 19, 2013
RIOULT Dance NY, a leading American modern dance company with a classic sensibility, along with the Manhattan School of Music (MSM) will present a one-night-only performance of its Bach Dances on October 9, 2013 at 7:30pm at the Manhattan School of music's stunning John C. Borden Auditorium. The school is located on the northwest corner of Broadway at 122nd Street, NYC. Tickets are $12 adults, $7 students/seniors and can be purchased in person at the MSM Box Office (M-F, 10am - 5pm), online: http://www.msmnyc.edu/Concertgoer/Event-Highlights#oct or by calling 917-493- 4428.