AURA Contemporary Ensemble: SIGNS OF LIFE
AURA performs music that explores signs of life. Small musical ideas constantly evolve and gain intensity In Ned McGowan’s “Garden of Iniquitous Creatures” and are treated as “signs” to be interpreted and reacted to in Latvian composer Juris Karlsons’ “Zimes.” The entire creative life of a composer, the main character in Paolo Sorrentino’s film “Youth”, is represented in David Lang’s “simple song #3”, while the genesis of a poet’s creativity is explored in Sarah Kirkland Snider’s setting of Ivanna Yi’s poem “Chrysalis.” AURA also brings to life two new works by UH alums George Heathco, a Houston based composer, and Cynthia VanMaanen, Interlochen Arts Academy faculty. These are the first two of twelve composers who will be writing new works for AURA to celebrate the UH Centennial.
