February 18, 2009
Nico In Top-Flight NYC, LA Venues (and Hollywood)
Mr. Muhly has had a quiet 2009. Not one to sit idle for long, it's only natural that he greet February with a series of high profile performances and pieces at high profile New York and Los Angeles venues.
Tonight, Nico will be appearing with his nearest and dearest collaborators (including Doveman, Sam Amidon, and illustrator Maira Kalman) at The Allen Room in Lincoln Center to perform Illustrated Music. Ten days later, Nico's arrangements for Grizzly Bear will be showcased at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in a performance alongside the Brooklyn Philharmonic. After that, it's the world premiere of The Adulteress, a piece commissioned by Carnegie Hall for Jessica Rivera (soprano), Maryanne Kim (piano), and Todd Palmer (clarinet). We think that's what you might call a trifecta.
Out west in the City of Angles on February 22nd, audiences will have a chance to hear the LA Master Chorale perform Nico's (from Expecting the Main Things From You) at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Worth mentioning is that on this very night, a particular Major Motion Picture starring Kate Winslet, The Reader, will have the opportunity to win a good number Oscars. This may seem like a random factoid but it most certainly is not; Nico wrote the score for the film. While he was not nominated for an Oscar, the film received a total of five nominations, including Actress in a Leading Role, Cinematography, and Directing. So go see/support the film and see how James Newton Howard (for Defiance) robbed Nico of a spot in the race for the golden statuette. Damn that James Newton Howard!
In news unrelated to concerts or the moving pictures, Nico's been traveling through the flyover states. He's documented his journey in a travel journal located here on VMan. As well, he's posted a new blog entry on his website. In addition to words there are pictures (including one of Nico's mom at a Taco Bell), so it's fun.