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Music

Michael Harrison Concert: Eliza McCarthy, piano

25 April 2024, 8pm (doors at 7.30pm)

Join us for this year’s New Music concert series, programmed by our New Music Curator Tom McKinney. For the Michael Harrison concert, pianist Eliza McCarthy will take to the Kettle’s Yard Steinway.

This event has passed. £12 (£5 students), booking recommended

London-based American pianist Eliza McCarthy enjoys close working relationships with some of today’s most famous composers, having become their go-to pianist on account of her profound understanding of the music of our time. Eliza has found a particular affinity with new music from North America, especially in works that gradually unfold like immense sonic landscapes, such as those by John Luther Adams and Linda Catlin Smith. And in Eliza’s concert, there’ll also be musical meditations that explore the more introverted nature of the piano, perfect for intimate setting of Kettle’s Yard.

About Eliza McCarthy

Eliza McCarthy is a pianist dedicated to performing new and experimental music. She plays in concert halls, art galleries, theatres, living rooms and car parks across the UK, Europe and US as a soloist and band member. Passionate about developing close creative relationships with composers she has had the pleasure of working with, commissioning, premiering and recording music by many including John Adams, Thomas Adès, George Crumb, Tansy Davies, Donnacha Dennehy, Kit Downes, Andrew Hamilton, Cassandra Miller, Nico Muhly and Laurie Spiegel. She regularly collaborates with Mica Levi (‘Under the Skin’, ‘Jackie’) and their album ‘Slow Dark Green Murky Waterfall’ was released in 2018 on Slip.

Programme

Caroline Shaw: Gustave le Gray
Frédéric Chopin: Mazurka in A minor, Op.17 No.4
John Luther Adams: Tukiliit
Gabriella Smith: Imaginary Pancake
Linda Catlin Smith: The View From Here
Chris Cerrone: The Arching Path

Introduction from New Music Curator, Tom McKinney

Such is the draw of Kettle’s Yard as a music venue, that yet again it’s been so easy for me to put together another season of great musicians to come and play in this very special space. There are four New Music concerts between January and May, and I really hope that the range of styles they bring will give you a good picture of what’s happening in the incredibly exciting UK music scene. Musicians and composers currently face an unprecedented range of problems in the music industry, especially those working in new, alternative and experimental styles. However the boundless ingenuity and energy of the artists is nothing but inspirational, and these concerts will showcase some of the very best and most important music being made right now. You can expect seriously impressive virtuosity from violinist Rakhi Singh; two of the greatest free-improvising musicians, John Butcher and Rhodri Davies, will introduce you to sounds that your ears have never heard before; there’ll be vast and mesmerising musical landscapes that unfurl out of the Steinway piano with Eliza McCarthy; and join us for a season finale of songs, in all shapes and sizes, with the utterly unique Hermes Experiment.

The chance to see those musicians in the Kettle’s Yard house is unmissable—so see you there!

New Music Events

Access and Further Information

Please note, for conservation and security reasons, no bags or large coats are allowed in the house. Limited bag storage is available at reception.

This event will take place in the extension of the house which is accessible, with some limitations. The upper part of the ground floor extension area is accessible for wheelchair users and the ground floor extension area of the house is newly accessible for wheelchair users with a ramp. There is no lift to the upper floors of the house. If you call in advance or ask at the information desk we can reserve an accessible seat for you. Please get in touch on 01223 748100 or email mail@kettlesyard.cam.ac.uk.

Visit our Access page