MUSIQA + Houston Ballet II

https://matchouston.org/events/2023/new-year-new-music-new-movement

This January Musiqa presents a collaboration with Houston Ballet II, premiering new choreography and a selection of music ranging from intimate solo piano preludes to a ten-piece ensemble performing a show-stopping new dectet. Together this program represents all the things that make Musiqa tick: cross-disciplinary collaborations with other artists, modern music by composers we love, and the introduction of new works to Houston audiences.

New Dance  Houston Ballet II is the second company of Houston Ballet, comprised of a stellar array of ballet students from around the world. This January we’re proud to present the world premiere of Houston Ballet Corps de Ballet dancer Madison Russo’s Spina, exploring the relationships and connections that keep us grounded with a pas de deux set to music by Robert Honstein, along with Houston Ballet Principal dancer Jessica Collado’s Papillion, a solo inspired by the tentative first steps one takes on a new stage in life.

New Preludes by Musiqa Artist Board Member Karim Al-Zand Book 4 of Al-Zand’s Pattern Preludes consists of 6 short works for the piano. For this Houston premiere Musiqa is proud to welcome guest artist Italian concert pianist Calegero Di Liberto, who will also perform selections from György Ligeti’s Musica ricercata in celebration of the centenary of the legendary modern composer’s birth.

All Is Now by Musiqa Artist Board Member Pierre Jalbert This new work for 10 players reflects upon our current moment in time and the importance of relationships and priorities in life – the importance of “now." It was written during the height of the pandemic, in which the world seemed to be in both a state of upheaval and on pause, and moves from hyper-kinetic activity to lyrical stasis and all states in between: join us for its Houston premiere.

New Year, New Music, New Movement features Amanda Galick (flute), Maiko Sasaki (clarinet), Jacob Schafer (violin), Mary Grace Johnson (violin), Tonya Burton (viola), David Dietz (cello), Nathan Cloeter (horn), Austin Lewellen (double bass), Yvonne Chen (piano), Blake Wilkins (percussion) and Calegero Di Liberto (piano), with Eiki Isomura conducting.