The Rites of Spring Music Festival returns to Custer Observatory, presenting this 7th edition live performance outdoors under a NoFo sunset!
About this event
New Music Under the Big Sky will take you on a journey to create an immersive musical evening like nothing you have experienced before. The performance features Rites of Spring Ensemble (R o S Ensemble), a new group that embodies the spirit of the new music culture and is dedicated to performing innovative, collaborative, and exciting works of living composers and the contemporary works from composers of the recent past.
Whether you're a classical lover or a lover of extraordinary experiences, New Music Under the Big Sky pushes the boundaries of a traditional music event. This program presents new music by Rohwer, Psathas, Reich, Roche, Goliov, Villa-Lobos and Richter for a very exciting evening of music and stargazing!
R o S Ensemble aims to bring people together and focus on what is happening today in the global arts world. Come and slow down with us, be immersed with music, lights and stars!
Following the concert, Observatory staff will provide guided tours of the night sky (weather permitting) through our many telescopes on site, including the apochromatic Zerochromat telescope in our historic observation dome.
Music Program
Mimikry - by Nils Rohwer (marimba & piano)
One Study - by John Psathas (marimba)
Electric Counterpoint - by Steve Reich (electric guitar)
Mariel - by Osvaldo Goliov (cello & marimba)
O Canto do Cisne Negro - by Heitor Villa Lobos (cello & piano)
On the Nature Of Daylight - by Max Richter (cello & piano)
Twenty-Five Eight Wow - by David John Roche (electric guitar & marimba)
Rites of Spring Ensemble (R o S Ensemble )
R o S Ensemble is a collectively organized group of musicians dedicated to performing classical music and creating new artistic works at the highest level. Based on the East End of Long Island, the ensemble is committed to the idea that new music belongs in every community and implements this mission through touring and outreach to connect with audiences and artists, focusing specifically on bringing music to locations out of the reach of many music organizations.
Iva Casian-Lakos, Cello
Dan Lippell, Electric Guitar
Dan Pate, Percussions
Paolo Bartolani, Piano / Synthesizer
Created by founder Paolo Bartolani, pianist and artistic director of Rites of Spring Music Festival, R o S Ensemble is dedicated to connecting communities across the East End of Long Island and the United States through the development and performance of music across the country. This ensemble explores, performs new music, extended performing techniques, mixing improvisation and composition, including other aspects of performance centered around the latest developments in sonic art. Their experience is extensive: from creating and performing music in unconventional venues, to site-specific projects that combine music, natural environment, and history, to collaborating with like-minded artists, performers, and thinkers, and offering a platform for all whose work demands it.
$45 Adult, $35 Custer Observatory Members and Friends of R o S, Children Under 16 FREE. Attendance to this in-person performance will be limited - reserve your seats early! Due to the outdoor nature of this program, a rain date is scheduled for June 4 at 7:00pm.
Please bring a blanket or chair to enjoy this outdoor presentation.
To learn more about the Rites of Spring Music Festival and the Rites of Spring Ensemble visit www.ritesmusic.org.