New on the Concertzender:
Rush Hour

The Contemporary Music department is starting a new series of programmes on 19 January: Rush Hour. The programmes are broadcast on Fridays from 18:00 to 19:00 CET, the same time slot as American Highways, the series made by pianist and composer Guy Livingston. Lon van den Akker and Guy Livingston will make a new programme every 4 weeks.

Lon van den Akker explains: “The idea for the series came from an episode of Three of a Kind, the series that I make together with Bert Broere. Last November the programme included music by George Russell: Stratusphunk. This is music from the Third Stream, a musical style that was started by Russell and fellow musician Gunther Schuller. Third Stream is a synthesis of classical music and jazz and that is also the central theme of Rush Hour.

There is also a lot of swing and improvisation in the music of (Early Music) ensembles such as L'Arpeggiata of Musica Temprana, and so they will also feature in the series. Another exmaple, the music from the acoustic cinema project of the Russische vibraphonist, composer and arranger Vladimir Golouhov.”

After a few years it seemed like the Third Stream would die out. Classical musicians had difficulties with swing and groove. That is now changing. As a result of the Internet, music students are now much more familiar with a wide range of music styles that 40 years ago. This is demonstrated by composers such as Vince Mendoza (Metropole Orkest), Maria Schneider, John Psathas, Gary Lindsay, Terence Blanchard and André Mehmari. Stay Tuned!

Rush Hour: Friday 19 January, 18:00 - 19:00 CET.