GLASS WORKS:
NEW MUSIC INSPIRED BY THE
STAINED-GLASS ARTISTRY OF JUDITH SCHAECHTER
Commissioning project in 2019-2020
Commissioning project between fivebyfive and the Memorial Art Gallery (MAG),
with open rehearsals and a premiere concert among the artworks, supported by New Music USA, the Eastman/ArtistShare New Artist Program, and the Decentralization Regrant Program of NYS.
OVERVIEW
Rochester-based quintet fivebyfive commissioned four works for an exhibition of the renowned stained glass artist, Judith Schaechter, held at the Memorial Art Gallery (MAG) in February 2020. Schaechter has explored and pushed the limits of the stained-glass medium for over 35 years. Her singular, subversive, and masterful approach has altered the landscape of contemporary American art. She embraces the inherent contradictions of her work, gleefully melding the opposing currents of high and low, beauty and gore, sacred and profane, and transcendence and defeat.
The exhibition explored her magical, ethereal and other-worldly images. Combined with the lush, rich colors and patterns, fivebyfive brought Schaechter’s works to life musically, and commissioned four composers to write pieces inspired by her work.
Composers Edie Hill, Jung Sun Kang, Andrea Mazzariello and Jonathan Russell wrote pieces for a premiere concert that coincided with the exhibition and a visit by the artist in February 2020. These composers were chosen for their unique compositional voices that effectively captured and reflected upon the emotional, color-filled world of Ms. Schaechter’s work. The commissioned works were completed in the Fall of 2019. Following the premiere concert, fivebyfive will included these works on its tour and make a documentary and recording of the project.
TIMELINE
1) Music / Glass FRINGE SHOW!
Memorial Art Gallery Ballroom, 2:00PM
Create an original fused glass artwork while fivebyfive performs
Saturday, September 14, 2019 with Studio 34 Creative Arts Center
2) Meet the Composers
Memorial Art Gallery Auditorium, 2:00PM
Sunday, September 15, 2019 – JON RUSSELL
Sunday, November 10, 2019 – JUNG SUN KANG
Sunday, December 8, 2019 – ANDREA MAZZARIELLO
Sunday, January 26, 2020 – EDIE HILL
3) Premiere Performance of New Works
Memorial Art Gallery Auditorium, 3:00PM
Sunday, February 16, 2020
Spring 2020 – subsequent performances of works, tour and recording of project
Our commissioning composers, from left to right:
Jung Sun Kang, Andrea Mazzariello, Jonathan Russell, Edie Hill
Glass Works: new music inspired by the stained-glass artistry of Judith Schaechter was supported by New Music USA. To see how the project folded, visit the project page.
