John Cage News

The epic story of King Henry V's battle with the French during the Hundred Years' War comes alive for the first time at the Folger Theatre, in William Shakespeare's historical drama Henry V. The production, directed by Robert Richmond (Othello and Henry VIII at the Folger), stars Zach Appelman (War Horse on Broadway) in his Folger Theatre debut as Henry V, and will run from January 22 - March 3, 2013.

Contemporary classical group Musiqa will present its first 2013 concert, Percussive Illusions, at the Hobby Center's Zilkha Hall on January 12 at 7:30 p.m. The concert features the award-winning University of Houston Percussion Ensemble, directed by Blake Wilkins. The concert explores the evolution of percussion throughout the past century, highlighting its rhythmic virtuosity and timbral richness through a variety of works and instrumentation. Percussion's capacity to shape the experience of film is also explored in a trio of films curated by Aurora Picture Show.

Soldier Songs is an evening-length multimedia event from composer David T. Little that combines elements of theater, opera, rock-infused concert music, and animation to portray a chilling and realistic view of our media-crazed, war machine culture, and of the nature of power in war. It delivers tough questions and tells tough stories through its poignant libretto, driving music, and surprising visual counterpoint. Created by the composer, the libretto was adapted from recorded interviews with veterans of five wars. Soldier Songs traces the shift in perception of war from the age of 6 to the age of 66. We follow the abstract character through the three phases of life: Child (playing war games) Warrior (time served in the military) and Elder (aged, wise,reflective).

Featuring a concert version of King's Bessie-nominated piece Astral Epitaphs that was commissioned by the Merce Cunningham Dance Company for its final shows at the Park Avenue Armory in Dec. 2011, the music of New York composer John King (www.johnkingmusic.com) will be presented at Brooklyn's Roulette tonight, December 7 at 8pm.

Featuring a concert version of King's Bessie-nominated piece Astral Epitaphs that was commissioned by the Merce Cunningham Dance Company for its final shows at the Park Avenue Armory in Dec. 2011, the music of New York composer John King (www.johnkingmusic.com) will be presented at Brooklyn's Roulette on Friday, December 7 at 8pm.

TheatreWorks and Goethe-Institut will present Eszter Salamon performing at 72-13 on 23 and 24 November. In Dance for Nothing, Salamon will be performing choreography to John Cage's music, Lecture on Nothing (1949), followed by a discussion.

Violinist and artistic director Gil Morgenstern's acclaimed Reflections Series continues the 2012-2013 season tonight, Monday, November 19 at 7:30pm with Nacht und Traume, "Night and Dreams." Celebrating five years of innovative programming in its intimate home at WMP Concert Hall (31 East 28th Street, NYC), Morgenstern will be joined by Tony Award Winner Maryann Plunkett and pianist Donald Berman.

One of the 20th century's most influential, innovative and provocative artists will be the subject of a special birthday tribute over the weekend of February 8-10, 2013, when the New World Symphony, America's Orchestral Academy (NWS), presents Making the Right Choices: A John Cage Centennial Celebration at the New World Center (500 17th Street).

It is with both heavy hearts and deep gratitude that the staff, board, and community of artists of Symphony Space honor the memory of Founding Artistic Director Isaiah Sheffer, who died on Thursday evening of last week from complications after a stroke. He was 76 years old.

Following her recent, critically acclaimed New York Carnegie Hall debut, pianist Jenny Q Chai has been selected to appear at New York's Le Poisson Rouge. The concert will take place tonight, November 4 at 7:30pm (doors at 6:30pm). Ms. Chai will perform works by Satie, Schoenberg, Stockhausen, Scarlatti, Stroppa, and more. Watch the video below for a preview of Chai's performance!

To mark John Cage's centennial year, Symphony Space is proud to present the composer's rarely-heard 1989 conceptual work 'How to Get Started' in a series of three performances by pairs of noted musicians and writers who know each other well. Author Oscar Hijuelos and bandleader Arturo O'Farrill take the stage tonight, November 1; playwright Wallace Shawn and his composer sibling Allen Shawn perform today, November 15; and poet Robert Pinsky joins singer-songwriter John Wesley Harding today, December 13.

Featuring a concert version of King's Bessie-nominated piece Astral Epitaphs that was commissioned by the Merce Cunningham Dance Company for its final shows at the Park Avenue Armory in Dec. 2011, the music of New York composer John King (www.johnkingmusic.com) will be presented at Brooklyn's Roulette on Friday, December 7 at 8pm.

Violinist and artistic director Gil Morgenstern's acclaimed Reflections Series continues the 2012-2013 season on Monday, November 19 at 7:30pm with Nacht und Traume, "Night and Dreams." Celebrating five years of innovative programming in its intimate home at WMP Concert Hall (31 East 28th Street, NYC), Morgenstern will be joined by Tony Award Winner Maryann Plunkett and pianist Donald Berman.

Roulette is set to host a 60th birthday celebration for highly acclaimed composer and musician Bunita Marcus. This event will also be the US premiere release of the recording cooperative Testklang's debut CD/DVD/Art object, all based on the music of Bunita Marcus.

TheatreWorks and Goethe-Institut will present Eszter Salamon performing at 72-13 on 23 and 24 November. In Dance for Nothing, Salamon will be performing choreography to John Cage's music, Lecture on Nothing (1949), followed by a discussion.

Canadian Opera Company has announced its upcoming productions in February 2013. Full details below!