What to see at Modulus Music Festival

Laura Bowler performing FFF with Ensemble PHACE.

The annual Modulus Music Festival presents leading musicians and composers from the post-classical music scene. The Music on Main event thrives on experimentation and multi-media shows, and this year’s features stars of the scene such as Canadians Nicole Lizée and Eve Egoyan and the UK’s Laura Bowler.

The 2018 Modulus Festival takes place Nov. 2-6 at the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, CBC Studio 700, and The Post at 750 (750 Hamilton St.). The festival features free talks and concerts, as well as ticketed events. See below for five Modulus happenings worth checking out.

Blazed More Brightly—Claire Marchand (flute) and Albertina Chan (harp) perform a selection “from the beginning of modern music to Gen-X and beyond.” The programme includes pieces by Owen Underhill, R. Murray Schafer, Salvatore Sciarrino, Claude Debussy, Steve Reich, and Caroline Lizotte, along with a world premiere by Canadian composer Nicole Lizée. (Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. at CBC Studio 700, 700 Hamilton St.)

MalFFFunction—UK composer/vocalist Laura Bowler performs her piece FFF alongside Nicole Lizée’s Malfunctionlieder. In an interview, Bowler described FFF thusly: “The piece draws a parallel between this very animalistic, primal reaction that we have as human beings and animals, and relating it to people’s engagement with current social politics; this idea of passive engagement with things, and the total lack of engagement and then the very active engagement.” Montreal’s Lizée describes her Malfunctionlieder piece as “a song cycle that integrates manipulated voice on film with live voice.” (Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. at the Roundhouse, 181 Roundhouse Mews)

The UK’s Laura Jane Bowler presents her piece FFF.

Eve Egoyan’s Solo for Duet—Musician Eve Egoyan challenges the traditional conceptions of piano and pianist. Solo for Duet is mixes sound, image, and unspoken narrative. (Nov. 4 at 8 p.m., The Roundhouse)

Eve Egoyan.

Trading Places: Un Échange—Visiting Montreal musicians Ida Toninato (saxophone) and Émilie Girard-Charest (cello) collaborate with Vancouver musicians. (Nov. 5 at 9 p.m. at the Roundhouse)

Mythos—Vancouver chamber ensemble Standing Wave explores ideas of legend, story-telling, and cultural history. Featuring world premieres of music by composers Anna Höstman, Keith Hamel, and JUNO award winner Jocelyn Morlock. (Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. at the Roundhouse)

Vancouver music ensemble Standing Wave.

Music on Main presents 2018 Modulus Festival

When: Nov. 2-6
Where: Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, CBC Studio 700, and The Post at 750 (750 Hamilton St.)
Tickets: from $20 (student tickets from $10 at musiconmain.ca or 604-879-9888.

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