LACE & The ICA Present the L.A. Debut of Gavin Bryars
February 15, 1986
LACE, in association with the Independent Composers Association is proud to present Gavin Bryars, one of England’s most important composers, at the Center for Yoga.
Bryars will discuss his music with examples of his latest work played on cassette. Following the discussion, English duo Janet Sherbourne and Mark Lockett will perform two West Coast premieres by Bryars – “My first Homage” which was written for Robert Wilson’s THE GOLDEN WINDOWS and “Out of Zaleski’s Gazebo” written for Lucinda Child’s OUTLINE. Both compositions were created for two pianos and four hands. Sherbourne and Lockett will perform their own compositions as well.
Gavin Bryars began his musical experimentation with influential British improvisers Derek Bailey and Tony Oxley, but soon gave up improvising to study composing. In 1968 he came to America and worked with John Cage on HPSHD, one of Cage’s most significant pieces. Bryars later met composer Steve Reich and toured with him throughout Europe. He has also worked with British composer Cornelius Cardew– founder of the legendary Scratch Orchestra – a group that broke down the barriers between serious art music and popular music. Bryars has collaborated extensively with avant garde theater director Robert Wilson, and he composed the French section of Wilson’s infamous CIVIL WARS. As a recording artist, Bryars has produced four records on Brian Eno’s Obscure label.
Janet Sherbourne studied music at the University of York and at Queens University where she completed her MFA in Ethnomusicology. She performs regularly with saxophonist Jan Steele with whom she runs Practical Music, an independent publishing company. She appears on the record Jan Steele / John Cage: Voices and Instruments.
Mark Lockett graduated from the University of York and spent two years at the University of California on a Fullbright Scholarship. He has made many appearances as a solo pianist, as well as with composer / pianist Schaun Tozer.
