Two clever, judgmental narrators. A landscape of shifting, sliding tones and sounds. The hidden language of emojis. Departure Duo is excited to perform a program of recent commissions showcasing the wide range of sonic possibilities for soprano and double bass.
Emily Koh's energetic and colorful "emojicons" humorously probes the wordless nuances of emojis, ranging from the frenetic energy of [in a cold sweat] to the mesmerizing and hypnotic [entranced with swirly eyes]. Mikhail Johnson's song cycle "Evil's Peak" is a Totentanz -- a Dance of Death -- in Jamaican Patois where Death proclaims judgment upon those she calls to her irresistible dance. Death gleefully summons the corrupt and powerful, but this twisted joy vanishes when she must call the poor and righteous as well. With vivid characters and sly humor, Sarah Gibson's "The Boys Are There" musically illuminates Dorothy Parker's caustic wit as she describes the men she's not married to. Departure Duo's spring tour marks the premiere performances of The Boys Are There, a commission made possible by the Chamber Music America Classical Commissioning Program, with generous funding provided by the Andrew T. Mellon Foundation. Concluding the program, Emily Praetorius' "Immensity Of" is a gorgeous meditation that brings both ensemble and listeners into close proximity. We warmly invite you to join us in this diverse and growing musical world where there is something for every kind of listener.
"emojicons" (2018) by Emily Koh
"Evil's Peak" (2019) by Mikhail Johnson
--short break--
"The Boys Are There" (2020) by Sarah Gibson (world premiere tour!)
"Immensity Of" (2019) by Emily Praetorius