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In the ’90s, Conrad Kehn stretched boundaries as the vocalist for the dark, progressive Denver rock group Skull Flux. He’s still chipping away at the walls today — only now he does so as the director of Playground Ensemble, the artists-in-residence at the University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music. Champions of contemporary classical and experimental music, Kehn and company unleash their latest creation tonight: Music/Noise/Sound/Silence, a dynamic program of eight challenging but rewarding compositions, including pieces by industrial pioneers Einstürzende Neubauten and avant-garde giant John Cage, whose still-controversial 4’33” (that is, four and a half minutes of instrumental silence and incidental sound) will be staged.
“These composers really take a look at the word ‘music’ and the expectations that come with it,” Kehn says. “I’ve long felt that the more adventurous fringes of classical music, rock and jazz were all really working in the same arena. In doing concerts like this, we are hoping to push the boundaries of what people expect to hear from a chamber ensemble. It really is a strong part of our vision as a modern music group.”
Music/Noise/Sound/Silence begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Hamilton Recital Hall in DU’s Newman Center for the Performing Arts, 2344 East Iliff Avenue. Admission is $16 for adults, $18 for seniors and free for students. For more information, call 720-641-2414 or visit www.playgroundensemble.org.
Thu., Feb. 4, 7:30 p.m., 2010
