Abstract
Argento’s The Double Take Project explores two works: Arnold Schoenberg’s “Verklarte Nacht” (transfigured night – 1899) and Erin Gee’s “Mouthpiece 29” (2016) by juxtaposing and performing several iterations of each piece. “Verklarte Nacht,” Arnold Schoenberg’s first major work, has a precursor in the form of an enigmatic unfinished work entitled “Toter Winkel” (translation: ‘blind spot’) written earlier that year. Argento will project images of Schoenberg’s oil paintings during the show, selected by Melanie Schoenberg, the composer’s granddaughter and a longtime friend of the ensemble.
Erin Gee’s “Mouthpiece 29,” for voice, violin, viola, and double bass, was commissioned by Tanglewood in 2016. The piece holds a special place in Argento´s repertoire because they have collaborated closely and on multiple occasions. After Argento’s performance on February 8th, 2019 at Roulette, the composer expressed that her ideal version of the work would have a richer complement of string instruments. The new version is called “Mouthpiece 29b.” Argento will program the new and previous versions together so that the two stages of the same material can enrich the listener’s musical experience.
PROGRAM
Arnold Schoenberg Toter Winkel (1899)
Erin Gee Mouthpiece 29 (2016)
Arnold Schoenberg Verklarte Nacht (1899)
Erin Gee Mouthpiece 29b (2020) WORLD PREMIERE