2008-2009

Gods & Monsters, Fables & Film

This season we’ve found inspiration in our favorite movies, the myths we can’t shake and the machines that hum in what used to be the background. In three bold programs, including eight works that have never been performed in Chicago, you’ll see why Fulcrum Point has earned a decade-long reputation as the city’s leader in really new music.  Download press release here.

Season at Harris Theater for Music and Dance:

Other concerts:


Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 7:30 p.m.

Soundtracks in New-Art Music

Harris Theater for Music and Dance
205 East Randolph Drive, Chicago, IL

Johnny GreenwoodThis is the music that haunts you long after the lights come up. Herrmann’s slashing score to Psycho invented the sound of horror. Radiohead guitarist Greenwood unleashed the coiled tension of There Will Be Blood. Takemitsu tapped a fascination with aquatic life as deep as the ocean itself. And Nyman’s rushing melodies brought The Piano its rapture and sweep. These cinematic works --each accompanied by highlights from the films -- will set your spirit free and move you to lose yourself in ecstatic melody.

The net proceeds from this concert will fund Sound Tracks, Fulcrum Point’s innovative program that brings world and new music to Chicago Public Schools.

  • Psycho Narrative from 'Psycho' (1960) -- Bernard Herrmann
  • Popcorn Superhet Receiver from 'There Will Be Blood' (2007) -- Jonny Greenwood (Midwest Premiere)
  • Toward the Sea II from the Greenpeace 'Save the Whales' campaign (1983) -- Toru Takemitsu
  • The Piano For Strings from 'The Piano' (1992) -- Michael Nyman

Featured Artists:
  • Mary Stolper, flute
  • Kara Bershad, harp
  • Lori Kaufman, piano

Press Clippings

Sound Tracks


Ticket prices include a post-concert reception with the artists, featuring hors d’oeuvres by Rome's Joy Catering and wines generously donated by Chicago-based Vin DiVino Ltd. Importers.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009, 7:30 p.m.

Modern MythsVajrapani

Harris Theater for Music and Dance
205 East Randolph Drive, Chicago, IL
View press release

Tap into the power of myth as Fulcrum Point harnesses music, literature and dance to explore the world’s most ancient archetypes. Melissa Thodos will unveil Aries, set to Stockhausen’s haunting, zodiac-inspired music. Danielpour’s sensuous song cycle illuminates Ranier Marie Rilke’s Orpheus poems, recasting the Greek story in tones so rich they could raise the dead. Vajracharya will dance an invocation to Vajrapani, Buddhism’s fearsome warrior-protector, and Vir’s Hayagriva darts into the concert hall like its namesake: the horse-headed man of wisdom in sacred literature from India and Tibet.

  • Aries (World Premiere) -- dance by Thodos Dance Company, music by Karlheinz Stockhausen
  • Sonnet to Orpheus (Chicago Premiere) -- Richard Danielpour
  • Vajrapani (World Premiere) -- dance by Prajwal Ratna Vajracharya set to traditional Tantric Buddhist music
  • Hayagriva (American Premiere) -- Param Vir
  • Sonnet to Orpheus (Chicago Premiere) -- Richard Danielpour

Featured Artists

Conversation with featured artists/composer Param Vir, from London, at Donor Room: 9:15 PM - 9:45 PM.  Ticket prices include a post-concert wine and cheese reception with wine generously provided by Vin Divino and food prepared by C'estSiBon!

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Tuesday, March 3, 2009, 7:30 p.m.

Dada Machinations

Harris Theater for Music and Dance
205 East Randolph Drive, Chicago, IL
View press release

Dada Machinations


The Dada movement blazed the trail for rock’s anarchy, pop culture’s self-consuming humor, and the outrageous investigations of Fluxus. Antheil’s Ballet mécanique fills the stage with airplane propellers, sirens, alarms, two grand pianos and eight synchronized player pianos—it vivifies the Dada manifesto. Carrying that spirit forward, Zuidam’s Three Mechanisms pulsates with the rebellious spirit of punk. Ter Veldhuis shares his pop media obsession using a boom box full of sound bites in Lipstick. And Miller’s Remote Music questions the very idea of performance.

Hanna Higgins and the UIC Fluxus Ensemble will stage performance pieces throughout the building before the concert; arrive early for the artistic mayhem!

To meet Jacob ter Veldhuis in person for a Q/A, please join us in the donors' room at the post-concert reception.

  • Three Mechanisms (Chicago Premiere) -- Robert Zuidam
  • Lipstick (Chicago Premiere) -- Jacob ter Veldhuis
  • Remote Music -- (World Premiere of a new version for multiple keyboards) Larry Miller
  • Ballet mécanique (Midwest Premiere of original version) -- George Antheil

Featured Artists
  • Mary Stolper -- flute/alto flute and boom box
  • Kuang-Hao Huang -- pianist
  • Amy Briggs -- pianist
  • Alison Knowles, Fluxus Artist
  • Simon Anderson, Fluxus Artist
  • Hannah Higgins and the UIC Fluxus Ensemble

Press Clippings

Special thanks to Consulates General of The Netherlands in Chicago and New York for Jacob ter Veldhuis' attendance at the concert.



Story & Clark Player Pianos courtesy of QRS Music

Photo: Essen Ensemble Musikfabrik; Photo credit: http://www.antheil.org

Ticket prices include a post-concert reception with the artists, featuring hors d’oeuvres with wines generously donated by Chicago-based Vin DiVino Ltd. Importers.

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Sunday, Feb 8, 2009, 11:00 a.m.

"WFMT's Live From the Morse" with on air host: Dennis Moore

The Morse Theater
1328 Morse Avenue (one block east of the Morse Red Line station), Chicago, IL
Admission $10

  • Madrigali Spirituali -- Vivian Fine
  • Quartet #3 -- Yuri Falik
  • 7 Popular Spanish Songs -- Manuel de Falla/Stephen Burns

Featured Artists
  • Stephen Burns, trumpet
  • Mathias Tacke, violin
  • Rika Seko, violin
  • Claudia Lasereff-Mironoff, viola
  • Mark Brandfonbrener, cello

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Monday, March 9, 2009, 6:30 p.m.

Devon Avenue, A Kendall College Monday Night Dining Series event

The Dining Room, Kendall College
900 N. North Branch Street, Chicago, IL

PathakKalyan Pathak's Indian Music Duo presents ancient Sanskrit chants, classical music compositions and poetry from various periods in Indian literature. Experience the famous songs of Meera, Kabir and Tagore and folkloric songs of north India, as well as stories accompanied by Tabla drums and Tanpura drones.

The musical performance and seating begin at 6:30 p.m., with dinner to start at about 7:00 p.m.

The Menu:
  • Duet of Indian Appetizers with Tamarind Chutney & Mint Cilantro Sauce
  • Tomato Lentil Soup
  • Cucumber Raita, Chick Peas & Yogurt
  • Tandoori Chicken, Cardamom & Saffron Scented Basmati Rice
  • Dessert - be delighted!

Tickets:
$38 per person. Includes non-alcoholic beverages and sales tax, but does not include gratuity.
Dining Room Reservations: 312.752.2328.

Tabla virtuoso and multi-ethnic percussionist, Kalyan Pathak, has played with many international artists from jazz, classical and jam band settings such as, Yo-Yo Ma, The Chicago Symphony, Fareed Haque Group, Howard Levy, Pacifica String Quartet, Theodore Bikel and Alberto Mizrah. Kalyan Pathak is currently one of the ethnic musicians teaching and performing at the CPS under the "SOUND TRACKS - Exploring the Global Cultures Through World and New Music" educational outreach program, a free program for the schools presented by Fulcrum Point New Music Project.

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Saturday, April 25, 2009, 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Fulcrum Point at the Master Class/Brass Choir Concert

Presented by the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra
First Congregational Church
256 E. Chicago St., Elgin, IL

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Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 5:30 pm.

Open rehearsal of works by Vivian Fung, Aenon Loo and Ng King-pan featured in the upcoming May 19 'Hong Kong at the Fulcrum Point' concert.

New Music Readings to celebrate MayFest
Presented by New Music Chicago
Darnton & Hersh Fine Violins Stradivari Music & Arts Center
30 East Adams Street, Suite 1200 (12th Floor), Chicago, IL

One hour, including informal discussion with musicians

Due to limited seating RSVP is required before May 8.
Please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with your full contact information
(Name/Organization/Title/full address/daytime phone number/email address)  

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Tuesday, May 19, 2009, 7:30 PM

Hong Kong at the Fulcrum Point

The Thorne Auditorium of Northwestern University
375 E Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
View press release

The 笙 Sheng meets the Trumpet! A rare collaboration featuring Stephen Burns and the Fulcrum Point New Music Project with Hong Kong's own Chinese Music Virtuosi, plus special appearances by the Thodos Dance Chicago and the Bei Dou Kung Fu Troupe. A one night only, old & new Chinese music concert experience celebrating the "Hong Kong Comes to Chicago 2009" Festival!

Guest Artists:

FREE ADMISSION

Presented by Fulcrum Point New Music Project in partnership with Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office New York

RSVP is required to redeem your e-ticket (Up to 4 tickets per RSVP)

Get e-tickets by emailing: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with full contact information before May 15
RSVP is required to receive your e-ticket for admission.

Paid Parking available nearby at the MCA (220 E Chicago Ave) or Erie Ontario Self Park (321 E Ontario St)



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Monday, June 15, 2009, 6:30 p.m.

Dusk Variations: A Chamber Series

Millenium Park
View press release

  • Droned by Dan Becker
  • Molten by Stefan Freund
  • Big Swiftly by Frank Zappa
  • Harry, You're A Beast
  • Orange County Lumber Truck
  • T'mershi Duween
  • Dupree's Paradise

Presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Chicago
A preview of the concert will be broadcast on ABC TV news between 8 - 9:00 a.m. this Sunday, June 7.

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