Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. That’s an old saying that makes perfect sense. And beauty can also be in the ear of the listener.
It doesn’t matter if we are talking physical beauty of a person or soul, appeal of a piece of artwork on the wall, or the sound of music – everybody has his or her own opinion on what makes it beautiful.
That’s just what the Chamber Project St. Louis’ upcoming program, “Beauty,” at the Contemporary Art Museum, will explore: the different types of music that people have traditionally found beautiful, contrasted with the beauty of contemporary classical music.
The concert will redefine the ideal, asking questions like, “Who gets to decide what’s beautiful and why?” From the old tradition of Brahms, to the new pop-infused, multi-cultural sounds of Dinuk Wijerante, and new sounds from one of St. Louis’ most creative and original musicians, Syna So Pro (Syrhea Conaway), music in the program will offer new ways to hear old sounds.
Conoway performs around St. Louis in a wide variety of settings, from the (not classical) concert stage with her bands, to one-woman shows, to creating music for plays, and as the resident DJ at the Contemporary Art Museum.
The concert will include Dinuk Wijeratne, with two pop songs on antique poems; Syna So Pro (Syrhea Conaway), “Beauty Beneath,” a world premiere (commissioned), and Johannes Brahms’ Sextet in Bb major.
Musicians include Dana Hotle, executive director (clarinet), Jennifer Gartley, artistic director (flute), Kyle Lombard, violin, Jane Price, violin, Laura Reycraft, viola, Joanna Mendoza, viola, Valentina Takova, cello and Tim Weddle, bass.
“Beauty” will be presented at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 22, at the Contemporary Art Museum at 3750 Washington Blvd., St. Louis, MO, 63108. CAM Happy Hour starts at 5 p.m. Refreshments available for purchase during the concert.
The Chamber Project St. Louis’ 12th season continues:
- “Recess” – 7:30 p.m., Feb. 4, Jefferson College (features the work of award-winning composer Valerie Coleman); 7 p.m., Feb. 9, Schlafly Tap Room
- “Tenacity” – 7 p.m., March 12, World Chess Hall of Fame (features the work of Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson); 7:30 p.m., March 14, The Chapel
- “Confluence” – 7:30 p.m., April 17, The Missouri History Museum (features pieces by Missouri native Shelly Washington and pioneer William Grant Still)
- “Choice” – 7:30 p.m., May 19, The Sheldon
Each concert features music of locally connected composers.
