Program

Program:
Flannau + Quijote:  Hammer & Bow

Xenia St. Charles Iris Llyllyth  |  Won’t Swim, Can’t keep swimming

Ben Zucker † |  New work*

Sixto Franco † | New work*

Jorge Amado † |  New work ‡

Kyong Mee Choi † | Unlearning

Shawn Decker † |  PROXIMITY

Picosa

Valerie Coleman | Hair, Cloth, and Thread I. Mom's Wisdom; II. AR/JW

James Stephenson † | Persephone

Benjamin Horne | I Remember You

Shawn E. Okpebholo † | Redlin[ing]

*World Premiere Performance
† Illinois-based Composer
‡ Micro-Grant Awardee

Hammer & Bow features the Flannau Duo and Quijote Duo, bringing together viola, cello, piano, and percussion in a unique exploration of co-creation and unifying musical forces. The concert features premieres of new compositions by Jorge Amado, Ben Zucker, and Sixto Franco. This program explores many aesthetics and moods, catering to a wide variety of listeners.

Picosa’s program explores transformative struggles through diverse musical perspectives. Coleman's "Hair, Cloth, and Thread" voices Black ancestry through Clark's textile art. Stephenson's "Persephone" reimagines mythological battles and internal conflict. Horne's "I Remember You" portrays dementia's journey from confusion to recognition. On "Redlin[ing], the central work of the program," Okpebholo writes: "This piece represents my musical response to the discriminatory practice of 'redlining.' I aimed to portray the perpetuating cycles of poverty and segregation resulting from such systemic injustices. To explicitly tie the work to Chicago, the composition's vibe is also informed by the iconic 'red line' on the L system."