The fourth season of the Ecstatic Music Festival is now underway, with 11 unique and varied collaborations between composers and performers from both sides of the indie/classical divide. A collaboration of New Amsterdam Presents and the Kaufman Music Center, the festival is a celebration of all things quirky, droney, and collaborative.
Highlights of this year's festival include:
- Tonight (Feb. 19): Electronic composer and vocalist Lesley Flannigan and electronic indie-pop band People Get Ready collaborate using feedback, voices, choreography and bespoke instruments.
- Feb. 22: Percussionist and Wilco drummer Glenn Kotche and Missy Mazzoli's all-girl ensemble, Victoire, play music written by Kotche and Mazzoli. (Note: This concert takes place at Carnegie's Zankel Hall.)
- Feb. 26: Saul William & Mivos Quartet present a night of new music from the contemporary quartet and legendary poet.
- March 19: Timo Andres, Gabriel Kahane, Ted Hearne, Becca Stevens, and Nathan Koci perform Andres' new song cycle. Inspired by American parlor songs, Andres has written a set of "work songs," addressing various aspects of jobs and labor.
- March 29: Man Forever and William Basinki, best known for his acclaimed The Disintegration Loops, will perform a collaboratively written percussion piece.
Tickets for this show and others are available at the Merkin Concert Hall box office. Special discounts available for those who buy two or more tickets; more details here.