Event Info
Lisa Cay Miller Lessing Stories: Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa, Dana Reason, Peter Anderson
Since my early twenties, I have been fascinated by the writing of the British no...
8:00pm Doors at: 7:30pm
$10-20
Event Description
Since my early twenties, I have been fascinated by the writing of the British novelist, poet, playwright, librettist, biographer and short story writer, Doris Lessing. Since my early forties, I have been absorbed with the potential of prepared (and more spefically extended) piano techniques. How to create varied tunings on the instruement, to make a piano sound like a percussion instrument, like a human voice, like an angel, like a devil.. In 2008 Tom Cone, Canadian-American playwright and librettist, told me that I should create a solo piano project. That remark brought me to a set of compositions that have been consuming me since: Lessing Stories.
A prepared piano concert with compositions by Lisa Cay Miller, performances by Miller and guest artists Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa, Dana Reason (piano) and Peter Anderson (narration).
Set 1
Mid - range (2012) Rachel Iwaasa, piano
Chronic (2010) Dana Reason, piano
Improvisation (2016) Lisa Cay Miller and Dana Reason
Haarlem (2014) Miller, Reason and Iwaasa
Set 2
Lessing Stories (2009 - 2016)
Lisa Cay Miller, piano
Peter Anderson, narration
Compositions for prepared and non-prepared piano inspired by the short stories of Doris Lessing. Lessing Stories has been performed in Seattle, New York, Toronto, Prague, Sao Paulo, Amsterdam and Ghent. This will be the first full performance in Vancouver.
I. A Mild Attack of Locusts
II. England versus England
III. The Antheap
IV. An Old Woman and Her Cat
V. Plants and Girls
VI. The Sun Between Their Feet
VII. How I Finally Lost My Heart
VIII. Each Other
IX. Through the Tunnel
X. How I Finally Lost My Heart II
XI. The Old Chief Mshlanga
XII. The Story of Two Dogs
XIII. Lions, Leaves, Roses...
XIV Lions, Leaves, Roses...II
XV. A Year in Regents Park
Lisa Cay Miller (Vancouver) has had compositions premiered by the Flat Earth Society, de Bijloke ensemble (Belgium) the Tetzepi Bigtet (Amsterdam), mmm (Tokyo), NME, Pianorquestra (Brazil), le GGRIL, Quatuor Bozzini (Montreal), Vancouver New Music, Standing Wave, Jesse Zubot, Turning Point Ensemble, Rachel Iwaasa and the Hard Rubber Orchestra. Miller has performed with Nicole Mitchell, Butch Morris, John Zorn, Jessika Kenney, Eyvind Kang, Audrey Chen, Ig Henneman, Michael Moore, Wilbert de Joode, Anne La Berge, Jasper Stadhouders, Jaochim Badenhorst, Ellwood Epps, Lori Freedman, Dylan van der Schyff, Peggy Lee, Jesse Zubot and Ron Samworth. Miller is the Artistic Director of the NOW Society, proudly presenting Vancouver's best improvisers.
As a pianist, composer and improviser, Dana Reason (Portland) has performed extensively throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. She has appeared at Frau Musica Nova, Banff Center For The Arts, Stanford University, San Francisco Jazz Festival, Spring Reverb, and Is That Jazz? Seattle, Festival. Reason was part of The Space Between Trio with Pauline Oliveros in the 2000s. She has performed with Mark Dresser, Joelle Leandre, Lori Goldston, Bert Turetzky, Alex Cline, Barre Philips, Fred Frith, Cecil Taylor, Lisle Ellis and George E. Lewis.
Hailed in the press as a "keyboard virtuoso and avant-garde muse" (Georgia Straight) with the emotional intensity to take a piece from notes on a page to a stunning work of art (Victoria Times Colonist), pianist Rachel Kiyo Iwaasa (Vancouver) has performed as soloist and chamber musician in Canada, the United States and Germany. Known for bold and innovative concerts, Rachel combines her warmth and curiosity to touch the hearts and minds of audiences.
Playwright and actor Peter Anderson was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1950. He studied at the University of Michigan and the Dell'Arte School of Physical Theatre before moving to Canada in 1977. Most well-known for his starring role in The Overcoat, his less mainstream theatre credits include Coming Together with the Standing Wave Ensemble and a spoken word poetry performance with the Francois Houle trio. He's also composed librettos for the mini-opera Aftermath and the upcoming song cycle Four Horses with composer Jennifer Butler. The recipient of six Jessie Richardson Awards, a Bay Area Critics Circle Award, Leo, Gemini, Dora Mavor Moore, Betty Mitchell and NY Drama Desk nominations, Peter lives in Vancouver with his wife, writer and artist Melody Anderson.
Venue
843 Seymour Street
Multi-Purpose / Hall
Capacity130
In-Person Event
Fri. October 21st 2016 + Add to Calendar
VSO School of Music (Pyatt Hall)
