Relevant Tones

Composer, guitarist, and musical innovator Elliott Sharp has spent decades pushing the boundaries of contemporary music, moving effortlessly between avant-garde classical, experimental jazz, rock, and improvisation.

His fiercely original approach has made him one of the most distinctive voices in New York's downtown music scene. On this episode of Relevant Tones, we explore his remarkable career, his restless creativity, and the music that continues to defy categorization.

Composers have long explored the percussive possibilities of traditionally non-percussive instruments, striking, tapping, scraping, and knocking on their bodies to uncover sounds beyond their conventional vocabulary. Many of these techniques already belong to a tradition of extended instrumental practice in contemporary music. But composers and performers continue to find new ways of expanding an instrument’s expressive capabilities, and, in doing so, our own imaginations. On this episode of Relevant Tones, host Stephen Anthony Rawson explores music by Helmut Lachenmann, Nina Shekhar, Kazimierz Serocki, Erin Rogers, Luciano Berio, and Giacinto Scelsi that asks us to hear familiar instruments in unfamiliar ways, imagining what else they might become.

The late Canadian composer Jocelyn Morlock left behind music of extraordinary color, imagination and emotional depth.

The new album, Artemis Sleeps, celebrates her remarkable chamber music for flute and grew out of the advocacy of flutist Mark McGregor, a longtime collaborator and close friend.

On this episode of Relevant Tones, Seth Boustead talks with McGregor about Morlock’s music, their friendship, and the story behind bringing Artemis Sleeps to life.

Formed in 2021 in Madison, Wisconsin, the Beltline Bones are “a new music ensemble disguised as a trombone quartet” with an omnivorous approach to new music, combining the traditional idiom of the brass ensemble with an adventurous interest in electronics, genre mixture, and notational experimentation.

On their second commercial release, Technological Eclipse, the ensemble chronicles several fruits of its commissioning efforts, with a program of electro-acoustic pieces that push the boundaries of genre and notation. 

On this episode of Relevant Tones, host Stephen Anthony Rawson talks with Cole Bartels, Justin Coyne and Adam Nissenbaum about the group's work, their commissioning and arranging projects, live performance, Technological Eclipse, and much more.

MUSIC

Geminids by Alex Ring Gray

I Was Thinking About the Buffalo by Brooks Frederickson

Variants II by Cole Bartels

Technological Eclipse by Alec Love

In and Out of the Game by Eve Beglarian

Ocho by Jorge Variego

The voice is our oldest and most familiar instrument, yet composers continue to discover astonishing new possibilities within it. Music for the voice alone invites us to listen differently. Without harmony or accompaniment to guide our ears, every contour, breath, and vocal gesture takes on its own significance. 

On this episode of Relevant Tones, host Stephen Anthony Rawson explores music for the unaccompanied voice, featuring works by Morton Feldman, John Cage, Gráinne Mulvey, Enno Poppe, Erin Gee, Giacinto Scelsi, Jean-Christophe Rosaz, Luciano Berio, and Meredith Monk.

Through these extraordinary works, we’re invited to hear not only the limitless expressive potential of a single voice, but perhaps even the unexpected musicality of the many voices we encounter every day.

Featured Music

- Only, Morton Feldman

- Eight Whiskus, John Cage

- Eternity is Now, Gráinne Mulvey

- Wespe, Enno Poppe

- Mouthpiece I, Erin Gee

- Hô, Giacinto Scelsi

- Alphabet, Jean-Christophe Rosaz

- Sequenza III, Luciano Berio

- Lullaby, Meredith Monk

The Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival is an ambitious summer program that brings together young string players to work intensively with leading professionals while performing throughout Colchester and the surrounding communities.

For the past four years, the festival has also championed new music through its annual Call for Scores.

On this episode of Relevant Tones, Seth Boustead talks with Artistic Director Elizabeth Chang about the festival's unique approach to chamber music education and features works by recent Call for Scores winners Paul Novak, Jorge Amado, Ethan Jankowski, and Mary Brook Hartmann.

Best known for her acclaimed work with ballet companies across the country, Cristina Spinei has developed a distinctive musical language built on melodic cells, propulsive rhythms and subtle repetition which she affectionately describes as "minimalish."

Host Seth Boustead talks with Spinei about her new album, Moved by an Interior Impulse, her long collaboration with choreographers, and how writing for dance has shaped her voice as a composer.

On this episode of Relevant Tones we highlight Ann Arbor, Michigan’s Third Place [MusicFest] as they celebrate their 7th year. Third Place curates an annual, four day performing arts festival comprised of multiple concerts in local spaces. They are founded on principles both simple and often overlooked: that concerts should be radically welcoming, accessible, and inclusive.

Host Stephen Anthony Rawson talks with co-director Wesley Hornpetrie about the history of the festival, its efforts to create spectacular concerts around diverse and complementary programming, its deep roots in the local business community of Ann Arbor, and more.

MUSIC

C by Han Lash, performed by Woven Duo

Tale of Fourth by Leith

and through the pines, I hear the singing by Jacob Nance, performed by FLYDLPHN

Armenian Dance Medley by Ara Topouzian Trio

Baad Illi Kan by Taqsim

In the second half of our conversation with conductor, composer and producer Peter Askim, we take a deeper look at his efforts to champion living composers through initiatives like the NC State 10-Year Premiere Project.

Askim discusses the importance of creating opportunities for emerging voices, building lasting relationships between composers and performers, and finding new ways to connect audiences with contemporary music. He also reflects on the evolving role of orchestras in the 21st century and the future of new music.

MUSIC

Echoes From Our Digital World by Trevor New

Tiled Fields by James Budinich

Beacons for Chamber Orchestra by Ahmed Al Abaca

Episodes by Chris Boardman

Composer, conductor, and producer Peter Askim joins Seth Boustead to discuss building vibrant communities around contemporary classical music through the NC State 10-Year Premiere Project, the NEXT Festival of Emerging Artists, and his work with orchestras across North Carolina.

From commissioning dozens of World Premieres to mentoring emerging composers and reimagining how audiences experience new music, Askim shares his vision for the future of the orchestra and the artists shaping it.

This is the first in a two-part episode.

MUSIC

The Raw Heart of the Spinning World by Peter Askim

The Inheritors Overture by Allison Loggins Hull

Nowruz for Orchestra by Adeliia Faizullina

Sinfonietta of Dreams movement III: There by Jeff Scott

Webbings and Circles by Nahre Sol