Israeli Chamber Project performs in inaugural Steven Stucky Residency concert

The Cornell Department of Music’s Steven Stucky Memorial Residency for New Music begins with the Israeli Chamber Project (ICP) visiting campus as the initiative’s inaugural ensemble Sept. 16. ICP is a dynamic ensemble with variable instrumentation that brings together distinguished musicians for chamber music concerts and educational and outreach programs both in Israel and abroad. ICP has appeared at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Morgan Library & Museum, Town Hall, Merkin Concert Hall, Bargemusic, and at Symphony Space in New York City, the Morrison Artists Series in San Francisco, Carmel Music Society, The Clark Memorial Library at UCLA, and Ottawa’s Chamberfest, among others, and has been featured on NPR’s Performance Today and WQXR radio’s Young Artist Showcase. The ensemble will visit campus each semester during the 2019-20 and 2020-21 academic years for multi-day visits to work and perform with music students, both undergraduate and graduate, as well as faculty. 

The ensemble was selected by a music department faculty committee co-chaired by Xak Bjerken and Kevin Ernste. “We were looking for a group of superb musicians who have an international reputation, have a broad repertoire, are comfortable performing new music from various aesthetic traditions, and are experienced holding residencies,” Bjerken said. “The Israeli Chamber Project is all of that, and their breadth and openness to our department made them a clear and exciting choice.”

At Cornell, ICP musicians Assaff Weisman (piano), Guy Ben-Ziony (viola), Tibi Cziger (clarinet), and Yonah Zur (violin) will work with graduate composers Sergio Cote, Piyawat Louilarpprasert and Daniel Sabzghabaei on compositions in progress, coach chamber music students, and provide masterclasses and mentoring. This visit is anchored by a performance on Monday, Sept. 16 at 8 p.m. at Barnes Hall that will present the new works, plus pieces by Roberto Sierra and Mario Davidovsky. They will additionally present a chamber music reading session with Bjerken and Miri Yampolsky at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Barnes Hall.

The Residency for New Music was founded to honor the memory of beloved colleague, educator and composer Steven Stucky. The Endowment was funded through the generosity of more than 50 donors, including substantial leadership gifts from devoted music department supporters Priscilla Browning, Ronni Lacroute, and Elaine Sisman and Martin Fridson. “We're excited for the first year of this memorial residency honoring our former colleague, composer Steven Stucky,” Ernste said. “Beyond simply honoring him and his work, the residency allows us to continue Steve's legacy of teaching and mentorship, offering a new opportunity for faculty and graduate students to create new work in close contact with world-class artists."