E021: Evan Ziporyn on his career and recording Steve Reich's New York Counterpoint

This week I speak with Evan Ziporyn, composer and clarinetist, who makes music at the crossroads between genres and cultures, east and west. As a clarinetist he performs as a soloist and as a member of the Eviyan Trio (with Iva Bittova and Gyan Riley); he also works regularly with Yo-yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble, and the Steve Reich Ensemble, with whom he shared a Grammy for Music for 18 Musicians. He is founder and director of Gamelan Galak Tika. His opera A House in Bali was featured at BAM Next Wave in 2010. From 1992-2012 he was a founding member of the Bang on a Can All-stars, finishing his tenure with the group with an appearance on an episode of PBS' Arthur. His compositions have been commissioned and performed by Kronos Quartet, Wu Man, the American Composers Orchestra, Steven Schick, So Percussion, and the Boston Modern Orchestra Project. He has collaborated with – among others - Brian Eno, Paul Simon, Ornette Coleman, Thurston Moore, Meredith Monk, Bryce Dessner, Philip Glass, Terry Riley, Louis Andriessen, Shara Worden, Cecil Taylor, Henry Threadgill, Matthew Shipp, and Ethel. His most recent project is the hour-long In My Mind & In My Car (w/Christine Southworth), for bass clarinet, electronics and video, His recording of Don Byron's Clarinet Concerto, which he commissioned, was named one of Downbeat Magazine's 2015 Albums of the Year. At MIT he is head of Music & Theater Arts and director of the Center for Art, Science & Technology. We discuss Evan's life, influences, career accomplishments and go deep into the recording session for the definitive version of Steve Reich's "New York Counterpoint" in 1996. This is a must listen episode for any new music fans. Links: Website: www.ziporyn.com Social Media: Twitter: @evanziporyn Facebook: EvanZiporynMusic Purchase Music: BandCamp: evanziporyn.bandcamp.com BandCamp: eviyan.bandcamp.com BandCamp: gamelangalaktika.bandcamp.com iTunes: iTunes Artist Page Discussion Topics: Calgary's year round snow Balinese Music Gamelan Fate and Spirituality Realizing the intent of the composer Don't mistake a bad performance for a bad piece What draws you to minimalist music? Bang on a Can All Stars Terry Riley - "In C" Steve Reich - Music For 18 Musicians Steve Reich - New York Counterpoint Recording New York Counterpoint Evan's First CD "This Is Not a Clarinet" The album as an art in itself Extended techniques (multiphonics, singing and playing) Lightning round questions David Bowie Tribute Concert People Mentioned: Josef Schwantner John Lennon Steve Reich Terry Riley Philip Glass La Monte Young John Cage Lightning Round Questions and Answers: If I were to walk over to your music stand right now, what would I find? An iPad (but it depends on which music stand!) What is your all-time piece of music? Rameau - Les Trois Mains and David Byrne - Marching Through The Wilderness If you could meet any musician throughout history would it be? Pythagoras What's your favorite book and why? Blindness by Jose Saramago and Go, Dog Go Is there anything else you'd like to share? Working on a new piece called "In My Mind and In My Car"