The themes that performing arts centers attach to their lineups are often labels that have more to do with marketing than anything artistic.
But the 2011-12 season of the University of Denver’s Newman Center Presents is different. It is called “Convergences,” and that in a very tangible way is what the diverse, 12-event series is all about: historical, cross-disciplinary and cultural convergences.
The theme acknowledges what has become a hallmark of 21st-century artists, who more than any of their predecessors defy categories and — with the ease of the Internet — draw on a dizzying range of influences both past and present.
“I certainly see that more than I did even nine years ago when we were starting this enterprise, and just looking at a number of these shows, it certainly reflects that,” said executive director Stephen Seifert.
Examples abound this season. In a Nov. 12 program titled “Abraham Inc.” David Krakauer, a noted classical and klezmer clarinetist, joins forces with two unlikely yet obviously artistically compatible partners: trombonist Fred Wesley from James Brown’s band and DJ Socalled.
“It’s kind of klezmer meets funk meets hip-hop,” Seifert said. “It’s incredibly entertaining but also reflective of people from different cultures that haven’t necessarily always seen eye to eye getting together on this artistic enterprise.”
Boston Brass pairs March 21 with the genre-bending Imani Winds, one of this country’s top wind quintets, to perform their distinctive arrangements of selections from two milestone albums by jazz luminaries Miles Davis and Gil Evans: “Porgy and Bess” (1958) and “Sketches of Spain” (1960).
To open a May 11 program featuring a trio led by jazz pianist Brad Mehldau, the Newman Center turned to classical composer and pianist Timothy “Timo” Andres, who sprang onto the scene in 2010 with his debut album, “Shy and Mighty.”
Seifert describes Andres as a “perfectly good example of this new generation of artists, who are unashamedly influenced by all sorts of different traditions, who don’t judge and categorize musical forms the way I think we used to do.”
In an extraordinary historical convergence, the Newman Center, along with Historic Denver Inc. and the Friends of Chamber Music, will mark — to the day — the 100th anniversary of the April 15 sinking of the Titanic.
The JACK Quartet, which specializes in contemporary music, will join the Young Voices of Colorado to present Gavin Bryars’ “The Sinking of the Titanic,” which includes a soundtrack with voices of survivors of the disaster.
In addition, the Newman Center and its partners have commissioned Payton MacDonald, a composer and percussionist with contemporary classical ensemble Alarm Will Sound, to create a work celebrating Margaret “Molly” Brown, Denver’s famed survivor of the Titanic.
Of particular interest to classical fans will be the first-ever Colorado appearances Jan. 29 by Europa Galante, a renowned European chamber ensemble, and the luminous mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux. They will present “Vivaldi Pyrotechnics,” which will include selections from a similarly titled 2009 album featuring operatic arias by Antonio Vivaldi.
Subscriptions go on sale to the public May 21, and single tickets will be available July 21. 303-871-7720 or .
Kyle MacMillan: 303-954-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost.com
Newman Center Presents 2011-12 Season
Oct. 1 Ballet Hispanico
Oct. 18 Jane Monheit, jazz vocalist
Nov. 12 “Abraham Inc.,” klezmer clarinetist David Krakauer, funk trombonist Fred Wesley and DJ Socalled
Dec. 8 “The Wood and the Vine,” Anonymous 4
Jan. 29 “Vivaldi Pyrotechnics,” Europa Galante, mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux
Feb. 14 Pianist Chucho Valdes and the Afro-Cuban Messengers
March 1 “The Rivalry,” L.A. Theatre Works
March 21 Miles Davis’ and Gil Evans’ “Porgy and Bess” and “Sketches of Spain,” Boston Brass and Imani Winds
April 15 “The Sinking of the Titanic” and “Lifeboat No. 6,” JACK Quartet, percussionist Payton MacDonald and Young Voices of Colorado
April 28 AXIS Dance
May 11 Brad Mehldau Trio
Date to be determined, “Two Men Talking,” Paul Browde and Murray Nossel
Information: 303-871-7720 or
