Brightwork newmusic, whose mission is to enliven and expand contemporary classical music with a focus on West Coast composers and performers, has a variety of upcoming events:
Tuesdays @ Monk Space returns on April 8
High School Composers Initiative Concert at Boston Court in Pasadena on April 6
Hear Now Festival Concerts featuring Brightwork on March 30 and April 13
Read on for more information about these events…
Tuesdays @ Monk Space
Brightwork’s flagship concert series Tuesday @ Monk Space presents world-class musicians along with the most promising up-and-coming local, national and international musicians.
Tuesdays @ Monk Space returns on April 8 at 8 p.m. with Tucker & Bhutani. This concert features two of new music’s most exciting emerging composers, both with strong ties to Los Angeles.
Akshaya Avril Tucker premieres a new work for Hindustani voice and string quartet, which fluidly and soulfully blends Indian classical and Western chamber music. Presented alongside Variations on Care (2024) for bassoon and string quartet, and the award-winning Hollow Flame (2022) for string quartet. Featuring Saavani Thigale (Hindustani voice), Benjamin Richard (bassoon), and our friends Eclipse Quartet.
Anuj Bhutani presents a set of genre-fluid music that demonstrates their narrative depth as both composer and performer. This program will include the West Coast premiere of On Letting Go, which John Schaefer (WNYC New Sounds) called “alternately celestial and dark” with Ashley Walters (cello), as well as a set for voice, electronics, violin, and trumpet from “manu,” and Bhutani’s To The Lighthouse, featuring violinist Shalini Vijayan and live electronics.
LOCATION:
Monk Space
4414 W. Second St.
LA 90004
TICKETS:
$25 General Admission / $15 Seniors & Students
Brightwork’s High School Composer Initiative
Through its educational outreach program, Project Beacon, Brightwork works with young musicians and composers across Southern California. Its goal is to empower the next generation of artists through residencies with youth orchestras and universities, student composer readings, masterclasses, and workshops.
At a special performance on Sunday, April 6, at 3 p.m., Brightwork Ensemble members will premiere new works by the 10 young composers who participated in its 2024/25 High School Composer Initiative. Over the course of the season, these student composers were mentored by Brightwork Ensemble members along with composer Nina Shekhar, with opportunities including readings, lessons and workshops.
PERFORMERS:
Sara Andon, flute
Shalini Vijayan, violin
April Guthrie, cello
Aron Kallay, piano
LOCATION:
Boston Court
70 N. Mentor Ave.
Pasadena 91106
Hear Now Festival
The annual festival of Los Angeles composers, Hear Now Music Festival, will once again feature Brightwork Ensemble on two innovative programs, including an electroacoustic set on Sunday, March 30, and on a program of acoustic chamber music on Sunday, April 13.
ELECTROACOUSTIC CONCERT
Sunday, March 30, at 5 p.m.
2220 Arts + Archives
CHAMBER CONCERT
Sunday, April 13, at 5 p.m.
2220 Arts + Archives
Photo of the Brightwork Ensemble courtesy of Brightwork