PRISM Quartet, Diego Rivera and Andrew Bishop Join Forces for All-Saxophone Concert in Ann Arbor

Hailed by NewMusicBox as “arguably the preeminent saxophone ensemble of its kind currently active in the United States” and for presiding “over what future music history textbooks might just look back on as a golden era for the sax quartet medium,” the PRISM Quartet presents a concert of intriguing music that bridges the saxophone’s dual histories in classical music and jazz.

PRISM is joined by jazz saxophone greats Diego Rivera and Andrew Bishop for three works on the program: Improvisations by Chris Potter, “one of the most studied (and copied) saxophonists on the planet” (DownBeat), Found by PRISM’s own Matthew Levy, and Dave Liebman’s arrangement of John Coltrane’s ballad, Dear Lord. The program also spotlights PRISM in performances of “Radical Alignment” from 15 Places At The Same Time by Steve Lehman, Leafless Trees by David Laganella, and the world premiere of Schumann Bouquet, Pulitzer Prize-winner William Bolcom’s new adaptation of piano works by Robert Schumann.

CONCERT PROGRAM

Awake, Alive, Amok, Ajar (2015) by Ben Hjertmann (b. 1985) , world premiere

Found (2015/16) by Matthew Levy (b. 1963), world premiere (new version)
Featuring Andrew Bishop and Diego Rivera

Intermission

Schumann Bouquet by Robert Schumann (1810-1856), world premiere of arrangements by William Bolcom (b. 1938)
I. Lieber Mai (The beautiful month of May)
II. Knecht Ruprecht (The bogeyman)
III. Sheherazade
IV. Ländler (a sort of German waltz)
V. Sehr langsam (Very slow)
VI. Lied italienischer Marinari (Song of the Italian boatmen)

Improvisations (2015) by Chris Potter (b. 1971), Featuring Andrew Bishop and Diego Rivera
Improvisation 1
Interlude 1
Improvisation 2
Interlude 2
Improvisation 3
Interlude 3
Improvisation 4
Interlude 4
Improvisation 5

Dear Lord by John Coltrane (1926-1967), Arr. Dave Liebman (b. 1946)
Featuring Andrew Bishop and Diego Rivera

Proceeds from the concert will benefit a residency program this year in which PRISM visits six schools in Greater Detroit for 28 programs serving over 3,400 students. School programs include assembly performances, composition classes, learning labs, and coaching sessions. Participating schools include:
• Ellington Conservatory of Music & Arts at Beckham Academy in Detroit
• John R. King Academic & Performing Arts Academy in Detroit
• Cass Technical High School in Detroit
• Crescendo Detroit and Progression, Inc. in Detroit
• Grand River Academy in Livonia
• McBride Middle School in Belleville

According to Damien Crutcher, the founding executive director of Crescendo Detroit, “Our motto is ‘Building character through music.’ One of our major goals is to regularly expose our kids to the best artists possible. We believe if they can see it, they can be it, which is why we are beyond excited to have the PRISM Quartet in residence with us here, in the heart of Detroit.”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This program is presented with generous support from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University, and Conn-Selmer, Inc. The Residency by the PRISM Quartet, organized in partnership with Progression, Inc./Crescendo Detroit, the John R. King Academic and Performing Arts Academy, Cass Technical High School, Grand River Academy, McBride Middle School, and Ellington Conservatory of Music and Arts at Beckham Academy, has been made possible with additional support from Chamber Music America through its Residency Endowment Fund, and the Quaker Chemical Foundation.