Winner of Duo Axis' 2019-20 Commission Competition

Duo Axis' 2019-20 Commission Competition had nearly 200 entries from composers across the globe. More information can be found at: https://www.duoaxis.com/commission-prize-announce

Oberlin Residency with TAK Ensemble

On Tuesday February 18, David and TAK visited the Oberlin Conservatory of Music for lectures and a performance featuring works, "Series Imposture" and "Atolls". Their trip was sponsored by Oberlin's Modern Music Guild.

https://allevents.in/oberlin/tak-ensemble-david-bird-residency/200019105098237

Winner of Delirium Musicum's 2019 Call for Scores

David is a winner of Delirium Musicum's 2019 Call for Scores along with Anna Pidgorna, and Kai-Young Chan. The pieces of the winners of Delirium Musicum's 2019 Call for Scores will be performed by the ensemble on March 7th, 2020 at Boston Court Pasadena, in Los Angeles, CA.

More information available at: https://deliriummusicum.com/competition2019/

Apocrypha - Video Premiere on The Violin Channel

New York-based violin and viola duo, andPlay, performing the world premiere performance of David Bird’s 'Apocrypha' for solo violin and viola. Link to article

New York-based violin and viola duo, andPlay, performing the world premiere performance of American electroacoustic and mixed-media composer David Bird’s ‘Apocrypha’ for solo violin and viola.

“Apocrypha is loosely inspired by Stanislaw Lem’s 1961 novel ‘Solaris’ … Lem’s book follows a team of scientists stationed on a distant planet covered by a vast and gelatinous ocean …” David has told The Violin Channel.

“The novel depicts the way in which a planet is able to manipulate the emotions and memories of space travelers as they approach it, and I was interested in depicting the violin and viola as characters that slowly, and almost unknowingly, enter some kind of turbulent emotional orbit and then depart from it ….” he has said.

“Ultimately I’d invite any perspective or listening of the piece, but would be glad if an audience experienced some kind of transformation for (or in) themselves.”

Recorded as part of andPlay’s debut album ‘playlist’ – released in September of this year on the New Focus Recordings label.

Works for Strings and Electronics Featured in Musica Electronica Nova 2019

STRINGS, VIDEO & ELECTRONICS
May 23, 2019
NFM, Red Hall
Plac Wolności 1, 50-071 Wrocław

Programme:

David Bird forgery #24 for violin and video*
David Bird apocrypha for violin, viola, and 8 channel electronics*
David Bird drop for string octet and strobe lights*
Monika Szpyrka are there hidden figures? for string quartet, electronics and video**

The commissioning of are there hidden figures? by Monika Szpyrka was co-funded by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage as part of the programme ‘Composing Commissions’ realised by the Institute of Music and Dance.

David Bird is one of the most promising composers from USA and develops a very singular repertoire which includes systemic technologies as a complete part of the writing process. In drop for string quartet and strobe projectors, the question of light defines new ways of perceiving the music field as a new possible counterpoint.

For this concert, we have also commissioned a new piece by Monika Szpyrka, a Kraków-based young composer, who also questions music practices by adding video and electronics.

Sound Installation "Echo Chamber" Opens April 15th

WASHINGTON DC — Echo Chamber is an interactive sound sculpture that encompasses public art, musical composition, and piano performance. It is a collaboration between site-specific artist Mark Reigelman, music composer David Bird, and pianist Ning Yu. Echo Chamber is a musical and visual experience that invites the community to explore, listen, and speak, and challenges the ways in which we experience music and art in both public and private spaces.

Extending over 11 feet into the air, Echo Chamber consists of 56 stacked metal tubes  creating an enormous facade of resonance and reflectivity. While some of the custom tubes will be hollow chambers, others will be tuned to a unique resonant frequency and contain a multichannel composition by David Bird. The composition utilizes two primary sound materials: prerecorded environmental sounds around GW’s campus and a piano performance by Ning Yu. The spacious harmonies of the composition work to intertwine, complement, and reinforce the acoustic properties of the sculpture.

Funding for this project is provided by the George Washington University Columbian College Facilitating Fund and CCAS Nick-of-Time Impact Microgrants. Special thanks to Corcoran School of the Arts and Design Music Program and Gallery 102.
 

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PROGRAMS & EVENTS

- Monday April 15, 2019 // 3:00 pm & 5:00 pm - Join David, Mark, Ning, the Corcoran Music Program, and Gallery 102 for two scheduled performances directly outside of Gallery 102, on the Academic Center lawn near the corner of 22nd and Eye Street. Pianist Ning Yu, in collaboration with David Bird, will perform a site specific score in tandem with the sculpture. To RSVP for the performance, click here.

- Monday April 15, 2019 // 6:00-8:00 pm - Directly following the performance, join all three artists for a talk and light reception inside of Gallery 102. Get a chance to hear more about the inspiration for the project and how it evolved. To RSVP for the talk and reception, click here.

- Wednesday April 17, 2019 // 6:00 pm - If you miss the performance on the 15th, an encore performance of Echo Chamber will be held in Columbian Square inside of the Marvin Center (800 21st Street, NW). To RSVP for the performance, click here.