Edge of the Center

The Center for 21st Century Music is excited to welcome the [Switch~ Ensemble] to the University at Buffalo for a period of residency from February 27th to March 2. [Switch~] has visited several times, and we're always thrilled to have them back. In fact, we’re already looking forward to their participation at June in Buffalo 2023. 

[Switch~] at the University at Buffalo 2023

Some background on them from their website: 

A new music ensemble for the 21st Century, the [Switch~ Ensemble] is dedicated to the creation of new works for chamber ensemble: they bring bold new acoustic, electroacoustic, and multimedia projects to life. At the core of each performance is their commitment to the total integration of technology and live musicians. They strive for compelling artistry achieved through the seamless creation, production, and execution of new music, and believe that working directly with composers—in a medium where the score is a point of departure rather than a finish line—allows for new and thrilling musical possibilities.

[Switch~] contributes to the future of the genre by strongly advocating for and commissioning the music of a new generation of emerging young composers. They have enjoyed fruitful collaborations with both emerging and established composers, with commissions and premieres of works by composers including Anna-Louise Walton, Alican Çamci, Igor Santos, Katherine Young, Stefano Gervasoni, Stefan Prins, Wojtek Blecharz, Anthony Vine, Rand Steiger, Philippe Leroux, Timothy McCormack, Tonia Ko, James Bean, Matt Sargent, Marianthi Papalexandri-Alexandri, Esaias Järnegard, Sivan Eldar, Julio Zúñiga, Zeynep Toraman, Alexander Schubert, Adrien Trybucki, Elvira Garifzyanova, Santiago Diez-Fischer, Lisa Streich, Anthony Pateras, and many others.

Founded in 2012 at the Eastman School of Music, the [Switch~ Ensemble] looks toward the future of contemporary music. They are dedicated to performing high-level chamber music integrated with cutting-edge technology and supporting emerging and early career composers. They are passionate about helping to build a diverse canon of 21st century works that leaves space for all voices—especially those that have historically been excluded from our field.”

[Switch~] plays Esaias Järnegard, Songs for Antonin (2018)

From Monday, February 27 through Wednesday, March 1nd, they will rehearse and record works by University at Buffalo graduate composers William Brobston, Alex Buehler, Brian Caswell, and James Falzone. 

On Thursday, March 2nd, at 7:30 pm in Lippes Concert Hall, [Switch~] will give a concert of contemporary works, including partial [dist]res[s]toration (2001-03) by UB Distinguished Professor and Birge-Cary Chair in Composition David Felder. 

The program is free and open to the public:

Tonia Ko, Breath, Contained II (2015) for bubble wrap quintet and electronics 

David Felder, partial [dist]res[s]toration (2001-03) for flute/piccolo/bass flute, clarinet/bass clarinet, percussion, piano, violin/viola, and cello  

Heather Stebbins, Ursa Major (2017) for saxophone, piano, percussion, and electronics

Jason Thorpe Buchanan, all-forgetting-is-retrieval (2019)  for alto saxophone, bass clarinet, bass trombone, electric guitar, violin, cello, percussion, and augmented conductor (American premiere)  

 

Tickets $10 at the Slee Hall box office or at the door -- UB students with valid ID may claim one complimentary ticket at the box office within the hour before concert time. Looking forward to seeing you there!