Canadian premiere of MUTED at Music on Main
MUTED A collective work by 4 composers for violin, voice, whisperviolin, frame violins, a multitude of mutes, and light design
Text: excerpts from Archy and Mehitabel by Don Marquis
MUTED is presented by Music on Main and the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival, with the support of Dutch Performing Arts, and co-commissioned by De Doelen Rotterdam (executive producer), New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Oranjewoud Festival, Music on Main, and Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival
MUTED receives rave reviews
"...'Muted' may be the quietest piece ever written for violin, but it was riveting in this intimately powerful performance." The New York Times
—Anthony Tommasini, CRITIC’S NOTEBOOK, Oct. 9, 2018
Top of the list: MUTED took first place in The New York Times
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More from The New York Times:
The violinist Monica Germino in "Muted," presented by the Philharmonic at National Sawdust in Brooklyn.
Credit Hiroyuki Ito for The New York Times
"...the impressive and courageous violinist Monica Germino gave the American premiere of “Muted,” a 40-minute, musical-theatrical work written for her by four composers: Michael Gordon, David Lang, Julia Wolfe, and Louis Andriessen. Ms. Germino was a champion of contemporary music, including experimental works with percussion and electronics, when, a few years ago, she was diagnosed with a hearing condition that rendered her extremely sensitive to sound. She must avoid exposure to high volume of any kind. 'Muted' was the response of four composer colleagues. The piece involves ..." READ MORE
The Wall Street Journal - Philharmonic Dials Down Music to a ‘Whisper’
—Charles Passy. Oct. 6, 2018
A violinist with a sensitivity to sound will perform ‘Muted,’ a special, quieter piece for audiences in Brooklyn
Violinist Monica Germino performs on a frame violin, which is quieter than a traditional violin, at New York’s Lincoln Center.
Photo: Peter Foley for The Wall Street Journal
A caveat: the audio in the video segment is louder than in performance
"The composers involved explain that “Muted” isn’t necessarily difficult for audiences to hear. [Michael] Gordon said concertgoers just need to pay closer attention. He likens it to stepping into a dimly lit room and adjusting your eyes until you can see clearly once again..." READ MORE