Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts

AURA Concert: Bridging the Gap

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

AURA performs music that explores connections. Mexican composers Maria Granillo and Hebert Vazquez explore the relationship between mythological beings and humans in two mixed chamber works. In “Mousai” (Muses), Granillo investigates how these beings served as inspiration for the creation of literature, science and the arts, while in “El demonio de Maxwell” (Maxwell’s Demon) Vazquez links mythological sources and science. American composers Jennifer Higdon and Gene Koshinski seek to expand the bassoon’s connections. In the beautiful and virtuosic “Dark Wood”, for bassoon, violin, cello and piano, Higdon wishes to add to the bassoon’s limited chamber music repertoire, while Koshinski seeks to unleash the bassoonist’s inner “rock star” by utilizing materials from popular music in his highly energetic “Get It” for bassoon and percussion. Involuntary spasms of the diaphragm and respiratory organs, or hiccups, are explored in Icelandic composer Hafdís Bjarnadóttir’s “Hikk!” an inventive trio for flute, clarinet and bassoon, and Japanese composer Somei Satoh is inspired by Buddhist prayer and the idea that all time is connected in the beautiful and deeply spiritual “The Heavenly Spheres are Illuminated by Lights” for soprano, marimba and piano.

PLEASE NOTE: We will also perform this concert off-campus at a location/time TBD.

To learn more about AURA Contemporary Ensemble, please visit: uh.edu/kgmca/music/ensembles/aura

PROGRAM: https://dpb-web.instantencore.com/program/46161/page/158464?cid=5207824