Present Music announces 41st Season "Crosscurrents"

Newly commissioned works in 2022/23 season by Paul Wiancko, Philip Miller, Clarice Assad, plus premiere of work by Daniel Trueman

Performances across Milwaukee and live-streamed worldwide

Be swept away by Crosscurrents this season — where will they take you?

• Philip Glass' live score for the Jean Cocteau classic film La Belle et la Bête
• Newly commissioned work by South African composer Phillip Miller to accompany the short films of the legendary artist William Kentridge
• Music by Unsuk Chin
• Star Irish fiddler Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh
• Singer/songwriter Gabriel Kahane performing a new version of his album Magnificent Bird

Subscriptions: $155-$270 Single tickets: $15-60 Live-stream tickets: $15 NOTE: "Early bird" season subscriptions: 10% off through August 14   Tickets available here French Connection SEPT 11, 2022 | 7:30 pm Milwaukee Art Museum & Present Music Digital Stage   Jean Cocteau’s classic 1946 film, La Belle et la Bête, with live music, scored by Philip Glass opens Present Music's 41st Season; plus music by French crossover sensation Christophe Chasol, specially arranged for the Present Music ensemble. In conjunction with MAM's exhibition, Always New: The Posters of Jules Chéret.     *Free admission to MAM starting at 10:00 am the day of the performance with Present Music ticket purchase. Interplay: William Kentridge Philip Miller NOV 16, 2022 | 7:30 pm 6:30 pm Pre-concert talk Milwaukee Art Museum & Present Music Digital Stage   In partnership with the Warehouse Art Museum and aligned with their exhibit: William Kentridge See for Yourself, Present Music presents the iconic animated short films by internationally acclaimed artist William Kentridge with live music by South African composer Philip Miller. Featuring a new commission and fresh arrangements, this performance tackles the history of apartheid, a struggle that Kentridge witnessed firsthand. The Bucks Native American Singing and Drumming Group open the concert.     *Free admission to MAM starting at 10:00 am the day of the performance with Present Music ticket purchase.   Sponsored by Jan Serr & John Shannon Free outdoor event Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night DEC 14, 2022 | 6:00 pm Saint Kate - The Arts Hotel   A post-modern interactive event. The audience, armed with boom boxes and smartphones, are part of the music-making of Phil Kline's continually morphing sound sculpture. Each participant plays a provided audio track while walking a route through Milwaukee’s streets. Hot chocolate and special cocktails offered at Saint Kate's. Voices Rising FEB 17-18, 2023 | 7:30 pm Jan Serr Studio & Present Music Digital Stage   Composer and singer Leila Adu is front and center with the Present Music Ensemble performing her work Freedom Suite. The PM ensemble introduces music of the multi-faceted composer collective Kinds of Kings, and unleashes high-octane music by Unsuk Chin. Northern Lights APR 23-24, 2023 | 7:30 pm Milwaukee Art Museum & Present Music Digital Stage   Two major world premieres in a single evening! Midden Find by Dan Trueman, features star Irish fiddler Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh playing a Hardanger d’Amore (Norwegian fiddle). Brazilian composer, singer, and pianist Clarice Assad gives the world premiere of her newly commissioned work.   In conjunction with MAM's exhibition, Scandanavian Design and the United States, 1890-1980.     *Free admission to MAM starting at 10:00 am the day of the performance with Present Music ticket purchase. Birds of a Feather MAY 31 & JUNE 1, 2023 | 7:30 pm Jan Serr Studio & Present Music Digital Stage   Singer/songwriter Gabriel Kahane performs a new version of his introspective album Magnificent Bird with the Present Music Ensemble. Also on the program, the world premiere of a newly commissioned work by chamber music superstar and cellist, Paul Wiancko.  About Present Music Since its founding in Milwaukee in 1982, the group's mission has been to commission and perform new concert music, bringing over 70 new works to life. "Expect Present Music to bring on the unexpected” (Shepherd Express) with programming that introduces innovative concert formats, embraces a broad diversity of repertoire, and makes the music of our time accessible to audiences with deep expression and serious fun.    The Present Music ensemble ranges from a core group of seven musicians to an ensemble of twenty or more. The group has worked closely with many of the nation's top composers, including John Adams, Henry Brant, David Lang, Caroline Shaw, Ingram Marshall, Missy Mazzoli, Bright Sheng, Roberto Sierra, and Michael Torke; and has a long and impressive track record for identifying outstanding talent early in the artists’ careers. Present Music’s discography includes world premiere recordings on the Argo, Albany, Aoede, Northeastern, Naxos, and Innova labels.    The group is led by Co-Artistic Directors violinist/composer Eric Segnitz and conductor David Bloom. Present Music was founded by conductor Kevin Stalheim, who was Artistic Director for the first 37 years of the ensemble’s existence until 2019.