PRESENT MUSIC ANNOUNCES ITS SEASON OPENER

(August, 2002-Milwaukee, WI)  Present Music, Milwaukee's nationally acclaimed new music group, under the Artistic Direction of Kevin Stalheim, delivers a blockbuster concert to kick off its 2002-2003 season.  The concert will be held in the Rennebohm Auditorium at the Old Music Hall at UW-Madison on Thursday, September 26, 2002 at 7:30 p.m.  The program will include works by Elena Kats-Cherin, Michael Torke, John Zorn, Steve Reich and Kamran Ince.  Single tickets for the Madison performance are $15 and $7.50 for students and can be purchased by calling 414.271.0711.

Russian-born, Australian composer, Elena Kats-Chernin sets the program in motion with the American premiere of Turn Table Turn.  Kats-Chernin's piece moves you to fly and soar and boil and burn with her swinging style.  Milwaukee native, Michael Torke brings Overnight Mail and drives us with brass and swinging sound.  John Zorn, a New York City native, delights us with his strange and compelling piece entitled Le Momo.  Taking sections of Antonin Artaud's long poem, Zorn has derived his inspiration from this visionary 20th Century poet. 

Steve Reich's Nagoya Marimbas offers simplicity and minimalism.  His piece, composed for two marimbas, was first performed in Japan to honor the opening of Shirakawa Hall in Nagoya.  The program will also include Kamran Ince's solo piano composition entitled In Memoriam.   Respected pianist Phillip Bush is the featured soloist in Ince's piece.  In Memoriam was written throughout October to December of 1999 and is inspired by the earthquakes that took place in the Marmara region of Turkey.  Ince's piece will be heard in Milwaukee for the first time. 

Single tickets for Present Music's Season Opener are $14-General Admission; and $7.50 for students.  To purchase tickets please call Present Music at 414.271.0711 or download a ticket order form from presentmusic.org.

The same concert will be performed in Milwaukee on Friday, September 27 at the Milwaukee Art Museum and on Saturday, September 28 at Beloit College.  WORT is the media sponosor for Present Music's 21st Season Opener Concert.

Present Music is Wisconsin's internationally acclaimed new music ensemble that commissions, performs and records that music of our time.  Founded in 1982 by Kevin Stalheim, Present Music has commissioned and worked closely with many of the nation's most exciting and important composers.  In addition, Present Music celebrates its 21st Season in Milwaukee & 11th Season in Madison.  Present Music has toured extensively throughout the United States and has participated in several major international music festivals.  Currently, Present Music can be heard on seven compact disc recordings.