Ekphrastic Music of Anne LeBaron: From Concert Theater to Microtonal Opera and Beyond

As a Fulbright Scholar, Anne LeBaron encountered Mauricio Kagel’s notion of Instrumental Theatre, and György Ligeti’s absurdist humor (both of whom she studied with). Ever since, she has forged her own conception, Concert Theater—related to what has recently been described as the “New Discipline.” To illustrate how ideas of Ekphrastic Music and Concert Theater have informed her ongoing Well-Read Clavier project, she will discuss the first three works in this projected twelve-part series. In each piece, celebrated works of literature from specific cultures, piano, and performer(s) intermingle: Los Murmullos; Partizan; and Les Confidences du Salon.In the latter part of her talk, she will share the challenges of composing an opera about Aldous Huxley and the history of LSD, scored in part for microtonal instruments built by Harry Partch.

Open to Institute participants and faculty only.