Evan Ziporyn, Tsmindao Ghmerto

Composer/clarinetist/saxophonist Evan Ziporyn's work in contemporary music is complemented by his sixteen-year involvement with Balinese gamelan and his wide interest in global music, which includes a particular fascination with musical cross-pollination between cultures. A soloist at the first Bang On A Can Festival in 1987, he has been associated with the festival ever since as a composer, soloist, and ensemble leader. He served as co-producer for their new recording on Point Music, a re-arrangement of Brian Eno's "Music for Airports;" his works and performances are featured on the group's two CDs on Sony Classical. As a composer, Ziporyn has received commissions from the Kronos Quartet, Reader's Digest/Meet the Composer, NEA/Arts International, Rockefeller Foundation Multi-Arts Program, New England Foundation for the Arts, Orkest de Volharding, California EAR Unit, and Boston Music Viva. He also received a 1987 Fulbright Fellowship for research in ethnomusicology. As a clarinetist, Ziporyn has performed his own solo compositions at international festivals in Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Estonia, Germany, Holland, Indonesia, Israel, New Zealand, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, and Swaziland, as well as numerous solo venues in the US. He also regularly performs and records as a featured soloist with Steve Reich and Musicians.

"Tsmindao Ghmerto" literally means "Hold God" or "Sanctus" and is based on a Georgian religious vocal piece for men's chorus. The choral piece is in three part harmony, which is achieved on the bass clarinet using tremolo and multiphonics while singing into the instrument. The result is a unique and almost electric sound.