Versipel New Music’s director Kari Besharse and assistant director Philip Schuessler visited WTUL on Sunday to discuss their budding classical music organization and upcoming Friday concert. Now in its first season, Versipel New Music is dedicated to presenting concerts of contemporary classical music to the New Orleans area. With a focus on late 20th and early 21st century works, Versipel offers performances of pieces by living composers in Louisiana, the U.S., and around the world.
On Friday, April 3, at Cafe Istanbul, Versipel presents Chicago-based pianist Mabel Kwan, who will perform world premiere works by Besharse and Schuessler, as well as a piece by local composer Ray Evanoff. Also included in the program are new works by Evan Johnson and Rebecca Saunders and selections by Baroque composers Girolamo Frescobaldi, J.S. Bach, and Johann Jakob Froberger. The concert, presented in conjunction with New Orleans-based contemporary arts organization FOCI Arts, begins at 8 p.m.
Here, Kari and Philip talk about Versipel, their own composing careers, and pianist Mabel Kwan. They also discuss their New Music Series, which present concerts performed by a group of local musicians called the Versipel Collective.
Versipel New Music & FOCI Arts Presents: Visiting Artist Series III: Mabel Kwan, piano Friday, April 3, 8:00 p.m. Cafe Istanbul
Philip Schuessler: Fast Flies Meanwhile The Irreparable Hour, As Point To Point Our Charmed Round We Trace (world premiere) Girolamo Frescobaldi: Toccata IX in F Major Kari Besharse: The Inhibitors (world premiere) Ray Evanoff: A Series of Postures (Piano) Evan Johnson: three reversed movements, to bring destroyed objects back to life J.S. Bach: Prelude, Fugue and Allegro in E-flat major, BWV 998 Johann Jakob Froberger: Lamentation on the Death of Ferdinand III Rebecca Saunders: Shadow