Of Time and Breath, June 19th, Includes World Premieres by Brian Schober and Alice Shields
New York, NY, June 8, 2011 — Internationally renowned interpreter of contemporary music and vocal teacher Christina Ascher will perform five works — including a rare performance of temA by the revolutionary composer Helmut Lachenmann and world premieres by Brian Schober and Alice Shields — in Of Time and Breath on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 3:00 pm at the Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A West 13th Street in Manhattan.  She will be collaborating with outstanding New Music specialists Kaoru Hinata, flute, and John Patrick Popham, cello.

“The program delves into poetic thoughts and feelings about the passage of time and life’s breath,” said Ascher.  “The works chosen are dramatic pieces that evoke strong and physically empathetic reactions that will resonate with the audience.”

Selections include the rarely performed temA and world premieres of Song of the Water Clock at Night by Brian Schober and a new version of Komachi at Sekidera by Alice Shields.  Other pieces are Cage’s Music for Three and Theodore Wiprud’s Siren’s Song.

Contralto Christina Ascher is a dedicated and uncompromising interpreter of modern music and modern musical theatre.  She is an opera and concert singer with over 40 years of credits both in the United States and in Europe.  She has taught privately and in master classes for over 30 years.

She is founder of Voice Studio Christina Ascher where she provides personalized instruction to singers (beginners and professionals), helping them to build flexible voices and creative vitality that will flourish over an artistic lifetime.  Knowing that every singer is unique and no single method works for everyone, Ascher evaluates each student and creates an individualized plan — a toolbox for the independent singer.

Ascher studied at the Oberlin Conservatory School of Music (B. Mus.) and the Juilliard Music School (M.S.) and was the recipient of a Kathryn Rudd Grant from the Metropolitan Opera.

Modern composers esteem Ascher’s vast skills — thorough, intelligent musicianship, an unusually flexible, versatile voice, a feeling for text and drama, a total personal identification in performance, and an ability to think creatively.

Flautist Kaoru Hinata has performed throughout the New York area and has given master classes around the country. She has won the Lawrence Beauregard International Flute and the Myrna Brown Flute Competitions, and composers, including Christopher Theofanidis and Dan Cooper, have written pieces for her.   Hinata has performed at many premieres with groups...