Fromm Fest promises cutting-edge compositions

The Fromm Foundation and the Harvard University Department of Music are proud to present this years Fromm Festival, a free concert series running March 10-12 in the John Knowles Paine Concert Hall. Curated by composer Hans Tutschku, the concerts are part of an impetus to program work that would otherwise not be seen in the Boston area. The theme of this years festival is e l e c t r o n I c s.

The opening night performance (March 10) will feature an international cadre of electronic composers, including Pierre Boulez, Milton Babbitt, Earle Brown, Örjan Sandred, Luigi Nono, Jacopo Baboni Schilingi, and Alvin Lucier, who will give a pre-concert talk at 7:15 p.m. The March 11 program will introduce American audiences to Ensemble für Intuitive Musik Weimar (Germany), who will perform pieces by Cage and Stockhausen. On March 12, the finalists of the 2006 live electronic competition will perform their works joined by an impressive roster of guest soloists, alongside Boston’s finest new-music players. This competition – the first of its kind at Harvard – aims to encourage the creation of new instrumental pieces with live electronics. Four composers have been chosen from numerous applicants to participate in a weeklong workshop and rehearsal period to work with instrumentalists on the creation and performance of their work. A final prizewinner will be announced after the March 12 concert.

Paine Hall is located directly behind the Science Center and is wheelchair-accessible. Free parking for this event is available after 7 p.m. at the Everett Street Garage. All of the concerts are free and open to the public, and will begin at 8 p.m.