Big Ears Festival Returns
For Immediate Release November 17, 2009
Big Ears Festival Returns in 2010 March 26-27-28 Composer Terry Riley Confirmed As Artist In Residence
KNOXVILLE, TN. The BIG EARS FESTIVAL is proud to announce another weekend of visionary music, exploratory art, and southern hospitality for March 26, 27, and 28 in historic Knoxville, Tennessee.
This time, BIG EARS is especially proud to host the legendary American composer TERRY RILEY as Artist in Residence for the weekend with a series of concerts throughout the weekend celebrating Riley’s 75th Birthday year. In addition, the weekend will feature an exciting array of artists and performers from the worlds of rock, jazz, classical, and avant-garde music along with installations, exhibitions, interactive experiences, talks, and workshops.
One of the most influential musicians and composers of the past century, TERRY RILEY’s impact and influence on contemporary music and art cannot be overstated. In 1964, his revolutionary composition, In C, launched the Minimalist movement in music and his influence is still heard today in the work of Philip Glass, Steve Reich, John Adams and other classical composers. His subsequent early works, A Rainbow in Curved Air and Poppy Nogood, with their kaleidoscopic, psychedelic atmospheres, sent waves across the musical worlds of the 1960s, strongly reflected in the music of The Who, Pink Floyd, and other rock bands of the time. That influence continues today in the music of Radiohead and Animal Collective and even The National and Bon Iver. It’s no surprise that TERRY RILEY was recently selected by the London Times as one of the “1000 Makers of the 20th Century.”
“It’s a tremendous honor to have Terry Riley participate in our festival this year. It’s a dream come true.” says Big Ears founder, Ashley Capps, also a creator and producer of the renowned Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.
RILEY himself will perform in several different concerts of his work during the weekend, with a variety of musicians. Also, the Calder String Quartet will present a program of his work. And a sure highlight of the weekend will come when many of the artists performing during the weekend join together for an unforgettable performance of In C, “one of the definitive masterpieces of the 20th Century.”
Additions to the BIG EARS line up along with ticketing information will be released in early December.
For more information contact: Carla Parisi at Kid Logic, kidlogic@nj.rr.com or 973-563-8204.
Additional Info:
BIG EARS debuted in February 2009 in Knoxville, Tennessee with a line up that included Philip Glass & Wendy Sutter, Antony & the Johnsons, Jon Hassell, the Necks, Fennesz, Pauline Oliveros, Negativland, Michael Gira, Sparklehorse, Ned Rothenberg, Dan Deacon, Neil Hamburger, and others.
The mission of BIG EARS is to offer an exciting and dynamic platform of musical and artistic discovery by artists possessed of singular and unique visions that stand apart from the mainstream.
Response to the first BIG EARS was phenomenal from audiences and artists alike. Here’s a small sampling of what was said:
“It was a tremendous experience….It’s my impression that there’s a real cultural renaissance going on in the south…I look forward to coming back.” –Philip Glass
“…the best audience we’ve played for in America.” –Wendy Sutter
“You could say that Big Ears was for people who like hearing nuanced music in excellent theaters, in a small town with no hassle…at times, it was heaven.” –The New York Times
“…an inspiration…Artists shared advice. Fans shared gratitude. Collaborations abounded. Surprises happened.” –Pitchfork
“A phenomenal success. If next year is even half as eclectic and adventurous as the first Big Ears, it will be incredible before it even starts.” –Creative Loafing (Atlanta)
“There was something strange and somewhat magical about the atmosphere in downtown Knoxville this weekend.” –The Knoxville News-Sentinel
