The Empyrean Ensemble presents engaging, thought-provoking,
eclectic programs, enabling audiences to experience new musical
sensations delivered with high artistry by its seven
extraordinary core players—the finest new music performers in
California. Ensemble-in-residence at UC Davis, Empyrean has
premiered approximately 200 works and performed throughout
California, including appearances at many prominent music
festivals and concert series.
Empyrean Ensemble Mika Pelo, director
UC Davis Professor of Music
Honoring Larry Austin—
Austin:Threnos for Bass Clarinet
and Electronics (Peter Josheff, bass clarinet)
Austin:Redux for Violin and
Electronics (Hrabba Atladottir, violin)
Larry Austin was a faculty member in the music department at UC
Davis between 1958–72 during some formative years for the
department. Austin was an award-winning composer who
founded SOURCE: Music of the Avant Garde and
gained widespread recognition through a televised performance and
recording of his Improvisations for Orchestra and Jazz
Soloists by the New York Philharmonic conducted by
Leonard Bernstein. Austin was also very well connected and
was friends with some of the most important composers in those
days. For example, he invited Karlheinz Stockhausen to teach
at Davis while on sabbatical. Larry Austin was a very original
composer, avoiding the current trends of his day, writing truly
unique music. Austin taught for many years at the University of
Northern Texas and passed away in 2018.
Preview of Taproot New Music Festival Participating
Composers—
Inga
Chinilina:Sky Everyday for Bass
Clarinet (Peter Josheff)
Yuting
Tan:Moon On Water for Violin
(Hrabba Atladottir)
Two young composers have been invited to write pieces for the
Empyrean Ensemble for the Taproot New Music Festival in 2020:
Inga Chinilina and Yuting Tan. At this concert we will hear two
older (already written) pieces by these talented composers.
Empyrean’s Peter Josheff—
Peter Josheff:September for
Violin (Hrabba Atladottir)
Last, but not least, we’ll hear a piece by our very own Peter
Josheff, a founding member of the Empyrean Ensemble and an
accomplished composer.
Empyrean Ensemble will premiere two new works
by Taproot Festival Participating Composers
Inga Chinilina and Yuting Tan, and both
Quince and Spektral Quartet
will perform a work to be announced.
Empyrean Ensemble Mika Pelo, director
UC Davis Professor of Music
Matilda Hofman, whose conducting has been described as having “a
striking sense of purpose” and “taut and finely controlled”
(San Francisco Gate) has a busy and varied performance
schedule. She works regularly with a wide range of groups in
Europe, and in California, which she has made her home. Matilda
has performed at the Salzburg Festival, Berliner Festspiele,
Holland Festival and Ruhrtriennale among others.
