Embracing the Clash

Abstract

In <bold>"Embracing the Clash"</bold> composer Julia Wolfe explores the origins, early years, and cultural impact of Bang on a Can, a multi-faceted music organization that she founded with Michael Gordon and David Lang in New York City in 1987. Bang on a Can began as a one-day twelve-hour music marathon of contemporary classical music and has grown to include two touring ensembles, a commissioning fund, a summer music institute, and an education program. In addition, Bang on a Can produces multi-media works, recordings, and radio programs.

<bold>Beginnings</bold> focuses on the early artistic development of Gordon, Lang, Wolfe, and composer Evan Ziporyn. In <bold>Six Young Composers</bold> Wolfe examines the early style of these composers as well as of Lois V Vierk and Steve Martland. Among the pieces that are discussed are Evan Ziporyn's <italic>Waiting by the Phone</italic>, David Lang's <italic>frag</italic>, Michael Gordon's <italic>Thou Shalt!/Thou Shalt Not!</italic>, Julia Wolfe's <italic>The Vermeer Room</italic>, Lois V Vierk's <italic>Manhattan Cascade</italic>, and Steve Martland's <italic>Drill</italic>.

In <bold>Influences</bold> Wolfe focuses on composers Louis Andriessen, Martin Bresnick, John Cage, Jacob Druckman, Philip Glass, Meredith Monk, Steve Reich, and Terry Riley. <bold>Influences</bold> includes discussions on the obstacles and challenges faced by the organization.

In <bold>Performers</bold> Wolfe discusses performance practice of new music in the late 1980s and Bang on a Can's collaborations with dynamic performers like the Dutch group Pianoduo. Also discussed is the formation of the Bang on a Can All-Stars and its six original members: Maya Beiser, Robert Black, Lisa Moore, Steve Schick, Mark Stewart and Evan Ziporyn.

<bold>Marathon</bold> and <bold>Move to Lincoln Center</bold> chronicle the years immediately following the first marathon and the controversial move to Lincoln Center. <bold>Four Pieces of Music</bold> takes an in depth look at four significant compositions by the Bang on a Can composers: Evan Ziporyn's <italic>Tire Fire</italic>, Michael Gordon's <italic>Yo Shakespeare</italic>, David Lang's <italic>cheating, lying, stealing</italic>, and Julia Wolfe's <italic>Lick</italic>.

In conclusion Wolfe focuses on the broadening of the programming, the creation of the Bang on a Can Summer Institute at MASS MoCA, and the changes in the new music scene since Bang on a Can's early years.