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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., Feb. 1, 2008 - The Williams Symphonic Winds, under the direction of Steven Dennis Bodner, will perform Louis Andriessen’s landmark work De Materie on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. in Chapin Hall on the Williams College campus. There will also be a pre-concert talk in Presser Hall in the Bernhard Music Center at 7:15 p.m. This free event is open to the public. In De Materie (1985-1988)—called “one of the most significant scores produced by a European composer in the last 20 years”—Dutch iconoclast Louis Andriessen explores the porous boundaries between objective and subjective truth (and between material and immaterial realities) by examining relationships between physical matter and atomic physics, religious ecstasy, artistic inspiration, love, and death. With texts ranging from a vision by the 13th-century Dutch mystic Hadewijch to a treatise by the 17th-century Dutch scientist/philosopher Gorlaeus, from Marie Curie’s journal to recollections about Piet Mondrian’s love of boogie-woogie, from a sonnet by Willem Kloos to mathematical and shipbuilding textbooks, De Materie is a non-staged opera in the form of a four-movement symphony.

For this performance, the Williams Symphonic Winds will be joined by tenor Charles Blandy and soprano Jennifer Ashe, who will sing the roles of David Gorlaues and Hadewijch, respectively. Margot Bernstein ‘10 will “rap” Mevrouw van Domselaer-Middelkoop’s recollections of Mondrian over a boogie-woogie piano solo performed by Dan Golub ‘08, while Chair of the Physics Department Dr. Sarah Bolton will read excerpts from Marie Curie’s journal and Nobel Prize- winning speech. Also joining the ensemble will be members of the Williams Chamber Choir. The Williams Symphonic Winds is a 70-member ensemble dedicated to presenting performances of the most significant music written for the chamber and large wind ensemble mediums. Now in his eighth year as Music Director, Steven Dennis Bodner has developed the ensemble’s identity as a leading proponent of the performance of new music on campus. The ensemble has commissioned and premiered a number of works by contemporary composers, including Williams faculty, alumni, and students. Recognized as one of the premier wind ensembles in New England, the Symphonic Winds performed at the 2006 College Band Directors National Association Eastern Division Conference and has received praise from composers such as John Frantzen, Nancy Galbraith, Michael Gandolfi, Judd Greenstein, Karel Husa, David Maslanka, Roberto Sierra, and Michael Weinstein.

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concert hotline: 413-597-3146

For building locations on the Williams campus, please consult the map outside the driveway entrance to the Security Office located in Hopkins Hall on Main Street (Rte. 2), next to the Thompson Memorial Chapel, or call the Office of Public Affairs (413) 597-4277. The map can also be found on the web at www.williams.edu/home/campusmap/