Network provides a rare glimpse inside the minds of select poets in this special program including György Kurtág’s Kafka Fragments which uses excerpts from Kafka’s letters and diaries. Each mesmerizing fragment – 40 in total – is infused with hypnotic imagery; the song cycle narrates Kafka’s journey of radical creativity. Philadelphia based composer Philip Maneval provides further insight with his The Poet’s Songbook which will receive its premiere. Music by Florence B. Price and June Violet Aino, an award-winning composer who is providing a new work based on Kafka’s writings, round out this program.

Featuring exceptional performances by these members of the Network for New Music Ensemble:

Paul R. Demers – bass clarinet
Clipper Erickson – piano
Hirono Oka – violin

Guest artist performances by soprano, Ah Young Hong, mezzo-soprano, Maren Montalbano and violinist, Jacob Ashworth.

Composition students from the studio of Settlement Music School instructor Michael Stambaugh will have their original songs performed by vocalist Sharon Neff in a pre-concert recital at 2:30pm.

Program order:

The Poet's Songbook (Philip Maneval)
The Poet and His Book; Sympathy (Florence B. Price)
The Vulture (June Violet Aino)
- intermission -
Kafka Fragments (György Kurtág)