The Bozzini Quartet performs as part of ISCM2017.
ISCM World New Music Days is the world’s foremost festival of new music. This year, Vancouver is hosting the annual event, which is overseen by the International Society of Contemporary Music.
ISCM2017 features over 30 new music events, over 135 composers, and music from 50 countries. From Nov. 2-8, at various venues in Vancouver, music lovers will have a chance to see what’s new and what’s next in the worlds of new and neo-classical music. The seven-day celebration promises to provoke, excite, and engage audiences long after the final note has sounded.
Besides the concerts, ISCM World New Music Days is also hosting special events including a series of talks, a festival hub and streaming video. Here are some highlights.
Awesome Talks—In this series, thought leaders from around the world talk about music, composers, and new directions. Speakers include Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and Artistic Director of New York’s MATA Festival, Du Yun. Also scheduled: Canadian composer Ana Sokolović and CEO of Sound and Music, the UK’s national charity for new music, Susanna Eastburn. Visit iscm2017.ca for more information about Awesome Talks.
Festival Hub at The Post at 750 (110-750 Hamilton St.)—The Festival Hub offers a place for composers, musicians, visitors, and audience members to meet, learn more about ISCM2017, and attend special composer sessions. Visit iscm2017.ca/festival-hub/ for more info.
ISCM2017 Across Canada—Audiences outside of Vancouver can experience ISCM2017 concerts at live video viewing events taking place at locations across Canada. ISCM2017 Across Canada will also include a behind-the-scenes documentary, including highlighted performances, interviews, and exclusive content. Viewers will experience “a day in the life” at one of the biggest new music festivals in Canada’s history. Go to iscm2017.ca/viewing-events/ for featured concerts and more information.
Other highlights of the ISCM2017 include the opening and closing night concerts and the shows listed below.
Wolfgang—Collective of musicians from Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra mixes contemporary and indie classical. (Nov. 3 at 12 p.m., ANNEX, 823 Seymour St.)
Wolfgang, at work.
Bozzini Quartet—Known for showing us “what’s next” in new, classical and experimental music, this Montreal quartet is one of Canada’s hottest musical exports. (Nov. 3, 5 p.m., Roundhouse Performance Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews)
Vertical Orchestra 2017: 21st Century Guitars—An army of electric and bass guitarists disperse themselves throughout the gallery’s seven levels to perform site-specific music. Seven award-winning Canadian composers are creating brand-new compositions for this unique concert event. (Nov. 7 at 1 p.m., Vancouver Public Library Atrium 350 W Georgia St.)
For more info, visit tourismvancouver.com.
