Press Release: Fifth House Ensemble and Jason Vieaux Join Forces for LiveConnections Concert
Music nonprofit LiveConnections’ 2017-18 concert series begins with the unlimited imagination and powerhouse artistry of the Fifth House Ensemble, which joins Grammy-winner Jason Vieaux, “perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation” (NPR), to perform a one-night only concert including Dan Visconti’s “Living Language” on Wednesday, December 13, 2017 at 7:30PM at World Cafe Live, Philadelphia.
“Fifth House Ensemble perfectly embodies LiveConnections approach to music-making: collaborative, curious and adventurous,” said s Presents concert curator Mary Javian. “Jason is a longtime friend and frequent LiveConnections collaborator. His exquisite playing and free spirit make him an audience favorite.”
Visconti’s 30-minute guitar concerto covers a “broad musical landscape” with elements of “prog rock, neoclassicism, heavy metal, Arabian folk music, country blues” and more (San Francisco Chronicle). Additional ensemble and solo guitar works round out an inventive, not-your-standard-classical-mu The 2017-18 LiveConnections Presents concert series, which features collaborative concerts especially for adventurous music-lovers, dares to ask a bold question: Can music build community? The season’s performances provide the opportunity for musicians to create distinctive, boundary-blurring music, often involving new commissions and world premieres, while collaborating with members of the greater Philadelphia community and beyond.
“These concerts blur the line between audiences and performers,” said LiveConnections Presents concert curator Mary Javian. “At LiveConnections we believe the communities we work with, including youth from public schools and individuals with disabilities, are all potential collaborators.”
Tickets to the Wednesday, December 13 program ($30, $20 for students) are currently available at liveconnections.org. Press tickets can be requested by contacting Bryan Buttler at bryanbuttler@gmail.com.
LiveConnections Presents Fifth House Ensemble and Jason Vieaux
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
7:30PM
World Cafe Live Downstairs
3025 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA
Fifth House Ensemble: The Chicago-Based Fifth House Ensemble is a versatile and dynamic group praised by The New York Times for its “conviction, authority, and finesse.” Having pioneered the art of narrative chamber music, Fifth House’s innovative programs engage audiences through their connective programming and unexpected performance venues. Bringing its signature connective programming from the stage to the classroom, 5HE develops young audiences through curriculum-integrated interactive concerts and residencies for students grades K-12. This season’s residency sites include Chicago’s Lowell and Stowe Elementary schools. 5HE is currently the ensemble in residence at Music Institute of Chicago, and in 2012 launched fresh inc, a one of a kind chamber music festival that brings together composers and instrumentalists for side-by-side performances, receiving creative presentation and entrepreneurship training. For more information, visit fifth-house.com.
Jason Vieaux: Grammy-winner Jason Vieaux, “perhaps the most precise and soulful classical guitarist of his generation” (NPR), is the guitarist that goes beyond the classical. His latest solo album, “Play,” won the 2015 Grammy for Best Classical Instrumental Solo. Recital highlights include performances at Caramoor, Philadelphia Chamber Music Society, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, Ravinia, 92Y, Bard Music, Strings Music Festival, and many others. He has performed as soloist with over 100 orchestras and his passion for new music has fostered premieres by Avner Dorman, Dan Visconti, Vivian Fung, José Luis Merlin, and more. In 2011, he co-founded the guitar department at The Curtis Institute of Music, and in 2015 was invited to inaugurate the guitar program at the Eastern Music Festival. Vieaux has taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music since 1997, heading the guitar department since 2001. He has received a Naumburg Foundation top prize, a Cleveland Institute of Music Alumni Achievement Award, GFA International Guitar Competition First Prize, and a Salon di Virtuosi Career Grant. Vieaux was the first classical musician to be featured on NPR’s “Tiny Desk” series. Jason Vieaux plays a 2013 Gernot Wagner guitar with Augustine strings. For more information, visit www.jasonvieaux.com.
About LiveConnections: Founded in 2008, LiveConnections creates unique programs that inspire learning and build community through collaborative music-making. We approach live music as an essential social and educational experience that helps create engaged and well-rounded global citizens. Bridge Sessions, our signature interactive educational performances, blend live music with hands-on activities, introducing students from Philadelphia public schools and people with disabilities to diverse musical cultures. Our in-school and after-school residencies provide students from under-resourced schools with sustained, in-depth music-making experiences. In addition, our critically acclaimed LiveConnections Presents concert series features unique artist collaborations and boundary-crossing new music. We are a nonprofit organization in residence at World Cafe Live. More information at liveconnections.org.