"Kut the Kow-Tow!"

November 18, 2002

Relâche Ensemble, in collaboration with Philadelphia's Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), continues its three-program series EYE MUSIC, which featuring guided tours of ICA's exhibitions complemented by thematically coordinated programs of music performed by Relâche Ensemble and a complimentary after concert reception. This series features a special $5 ticket price (includes ICA admission) and is free to students, seniors, ICA members and Relache subscribers.

The second in a three part musical series, EYE MUSIC @ Institute of Contemporary Art, "Kut the Kow-Tow" features a program of music inspired by socio-political themes and ideas expressed through Louis Andriessen's Worker's Union, Kitty Brazelton's The Battle of X and Y, and Fred Ho's Contradiction Please! (The Revenge of Charlie Chan). Worker's Union is a work for any combination of instruments combines high individual musical freedom with severe discipline. In Andriessen's words, "It is difficult for the ensemble to play the rhythms and to remain in step, which is symbolically similar to organizing and carrying on political action." The Battle of X and Y depicts a mythical "battle of the sexes," pitting male and female musical alter-egos against one another. Fred Ho's Contradiction Please!, a past Relâche commission from 1994, is a jazz/rock parody of early television and film music, dealing thematically with social and ethnic Asian-American stereotypes and prejudices. Fred Ho will accompany the ensemble (baritone sax) on his composition. The ICA exhibition, "Damian Ortega," presents works by Ortega in a variety of media. Many of the pieces resonate with the humor and biting criticism of Dada and Surrealism and use found and everyday objects and images to formulate politicized statements concerning globalization, pollution, industrialization and ethnic stereotypes.

EYE MUSIC @ Institute of Contemporary Art
Relâche Ensemble, in collaboration with Philadelphia's Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), presents a three-program series EYE MUSIC, featuring guided tours of ICA's exhibitions complemented by thematically coordinated programs of music performed by Relâche Ensemble. The first program, "If I Recollect...," will be presented Thursday, October 10. The second program, "Kut the Kow-Tow," will be presented Thursday, December 5, and the final program, "The Outcome is Inevitable," will be presented Thursday, February 13. All programs begin at 7:30 p.m. and will take place at the Institute of Contemporary Art (36th and Sansom Streets). General admission is $5 at the door and it is free for students, seniors, ICA members and Relâche subscribers. A reception with complementary food, drinks and CDs on sale from a.k.a. music will follow each performance.

WHERE:
Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)
118 South 36th Street (36th & Sansom Streets)
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 573-9975

WHEN:
Thurs., Dec. 5 @ 7:30pm
7:30 - Tour / 8:00 Performance/9:00 reception
TICKETS: $5 at the door, free for students, seniors, ICA members and Relâche subscribers

WHAT:
"Kut the Kow-Tow!"
Louis Andriessen - Worker's Union
Kitty Brazelton - The Battle of X and Y
Fred Ho - Contradiction Please!

RELÂCHE ENSEMBLE
Bob Butryn, clarinet/saxophone
Andrea Clearfield, piano/keyboards
Jon Gaarder, bassoon/contrabassoon
Michele Kelly, flute/piccolo
Douglas Mapp, contrabass/electric bass
Harvey Price, percussion
Lloyd Shorter, oboe/English Horn
Anthony Simmons, viola

The ICA is located at 118 South 36th Street at the University of Pennsylvania. The ICA is open to the public, except during installation, from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Wednesday through Friday and from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $3 for adults; $2 for students over 12, artists, and senior citizens; and free to ICA members, children 12 and under, PENN card holders, and on Sundays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. For more information, call 215-898-7108/5911.

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