Livewire 15 — Julius Eastman’s Femenine

For the second evening of the Livewire 15: Blazing Trails new music festival, the RUCKUS ensemble is joined by UMBC affiliate faculty to present Julius Eastman’s concert-length work, Femenine. Largely dismissed during his lifetime, the music of Julius Eastman is only now beginning to be recognized for its innovative approach to minimalist music in the 1970s. Immersive and ecstatic, Femenine draws together a wide range of musical influences while inviting the creative input and spontaneous decision-making of the performers.

With a mission to champion new and innovative works, RUCKUS is dedicated to supporting innovative artists and early-career composers through commissions and collaboration. RUCKUS works directly with students working toward the Certificate in American Contemporary Music, often performing alongside these students and mentoring their creative work. Each year, the ensemble co-hosts the Livewire Festival, bringing guest artists and other ensembles from around the world to Baltimore for a weekend of cutting-edge contemporary music.

RUCKUS features Lisa Cella, flute; Airi Yoshioka, violin; Juan Sebastián Delgado, cello; Liana Harron, piano; Dustin Donahue, percussion; and Philip Mann, conductor. The ensemble is frequently joined by UMBC Affiliate Artists Natalie Groom, clarinet; Patrick Crossland, trombone; and Nicholas Currie, violin.