Cloudsplitter, is a free outdoor performance for brass ensemble located in Inwood, Manhattan, New York, NY. The three performances will take place:
Sunday, June 20, 2021 at 11am & 12pm (Isham Park, Inwood, Manhattan)
Monday, June 21, 2021 at 7:30pm (Isham Park, Inwood, Manhattan)
Please download a program for the performance here.
Read a poetic reflection of the performance, written by Nick Graham, here.
This project is a continuation of a series of neighborhood performances that I have created in Upper Manhattan including Muscota Marsh Harmony in 2018 and Passages | Pasajes in 2019.
Performers:
Dave Adewumi - trumpet
Diana Allan - horn
Kevin Ayres - horn
Iván Barenboim - alto clarinet
Gina Benalcazar - bass trombone
Mariel Bildsten - trombone
Matt Jaimes - horn
Aaron Meicht - trumpet, music director
Emma Reber - horn
TJ Robinson - trombone
Carolina Gomez - costume design
Benjamin Mayock - poster design
John P. Hastings - concept
Much of the 20 acres of the park will be utilized as the performers begin spread out throughout the park. Slowly, over the course of the 40 minute performance, they will come together in small groups and then finally into a complete group, a visual and aural harmony.
Along with the traditions and histories that the players bring to the performance, the performance is centered around the mythic persona of radical abolitionist John Brown. The title, Cloudsplitter, is a reference to the author Russell Bank’s novel on John Brown, which alludes to the highest point in New York State (Mt. Marcy) also known as Tahawus, a word some translate as “Cloudsplitter.” John Brown’s favorite hymn, “Blow, Ye The Trumpets, Blow!”, as well as the Civil War era March “John Brown’s Body” will be used as a centering device for the performance, a reference point to construct the harmonic and melodic content of the musical work. For more information, please see my interview with Make Music New York’s James Burke.
Cloudsplitter is made possible in part with public funds from Creative Engagement, supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by LMCC. This project was also supported, in part, by a Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant, a grant from the Make Music Alliance, and by individual donors. Thank you!
We want to acknowledge that this performance takes place on the traditional land of the Lenape and Wappinger Peoples past and present, and honor with gratitude the land itself and the people who have stewarded it throughout the generations. This calls us to commit to continuing to learn how to be better stewards of the land we inhabit as well.
