Ensemble Robot

Ensemble Robot began in 2003 as an organization of artists, engineers, programmers, and musicians, working to: (1) design, construct, and program an orchestra of robotic musical instruments and dancers, (2) commission music compositions and dance choreography for this ensemble, and (3) design, organize, execute, and promote performances for robotic instruments in collaboration with human musicians and dancers. The primary goal of the was the creation of new, visually and sonically attractive, robotic instruments and music. The original Ensemble Robot included Ramon Castillo, Andy Cavatorta, Chyle Crossley, Giles Hall, Leila Madrone, Erik Nugent, Laurel Pardue, Christine Southworth, William Tremblay, Po Chun Wang, and Evan Ziporyn.

The original members of Ensemble Robot have gone in a variety of individual directions, pursuing their own artistic visions that - in large and small ways - build on the collective Ensemble Robot project. Read more about Ensemble Robots legacy of artists and innovators here.

Today, Ensemble Robot has transformed into a broader arts organization, helping composers, performers, installation artists, and ensembles realize their artistic aspirations through commissions, subsidization, production, tour organization, recordings, and general advocacy. We currently support ongoing projects by Gamelan Galak Tika, Gamelan Elektrika, Ambient Orchestra, Christine Southworth & Evan Ziporyn’s In My Mind and In My Car, Kai Apapa, and Arachnodrone. Read more about current Ensemble Robot-supported projects here.

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Ambient Orchestra / Adelaide Fringe March 15-17 2019

January 6, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AMBIENT ORCHESTRA BRINGS SYMPHONIC BOWIE, ENO & LARAAJI TO ADELAIDE FRINGE

March 15 – 8 pm – An Ambient Primer: music of Fripp/Eno, Laraaji, Satie, Ziporyn
March 16 – 8 pm Bowie Symphonic: Blackstar Concerto featuring Maya Beiser
March 17 – 1 pm Bowie Symphonic: Blackstar Concerto featuring Maya Beiser
All performances at Elder Hall at RCC Fringe

On the heels of its first US tour, Evan Ziporyn’s Ambient Orchestra with cello soloist Maya Beiser comes to Adelaide Fringe 2019 for three performances showcasing its ‘rich and adventurous’ (Javier Blanquez, El Mundo) orchestral renditions of music by David Bowie, Robert Fripp & Brian Eno, and Laraaji. The American-based ensemble, founded by composer/arranger Ziporyn in 2016, joins forces with Israeli-born cello virtuoso Maya Beiser (described by the New Yorker as a ‘cello goddess’) and musicians from Adelaide’s own Elder Conservatorium. All performances will be in held in Elder Hall, at RCC Fringe.

On March 15 at 8 pm, The Ambient Orchestra (TAO) makes its Australian debut with An Ambient Primer, featuring world premieres of Ziporyn’s arrangements of two classics of the early ambient electronica genre, Side A of Robert Fripp & Brian Eno’s Evening Star and Laraaji’s hypnotic 3-movement The Dance from his Eno-produced debut album, Day of Radiance. The programme also includes Ziporyn’s ‘lulling and dreamlike’ (Marc Hirsh, Boston Globe) live remixes of Erik Satie’s proto-ambient Trois Gymnopedies and Ziporyn’s own Frog’s Eye, a ‘hypnotic and innately lyrical’ (John Kelman, All About Jazz) invocation of the New England summer soundscape.

On March 16 at 8 pm and March 17 at 1 pm, TAO is joined by ‘cello goddess’ Beiser to present the Blackstar Concerto, Ziporyn’s note-for-note adaptation of David Bowie’s final masterpiece, for cello and orchestra, with Beiser taking on the challenge of simultaneously channeling both Bowie’s unique vocal style while also carrying the mantle of lead guitar and solo saxophonist. Sold-out performances in Boston, Barcelona, and New York’s Central park have been greeted with critical acclaim and rapturous audience reception. In the words of El Mundo’s Javier Blanquez, “Bowie is already symphonic. But last night another color was added to his music, a rich and adventurous density that easily and forcefully connected high and popular culture.” As soloist, Beiser more than rises to the occasion. The Boston Globe’s Marc Hirsh writes: “Beiser’s cello replaced the vocals of “Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime)” with a shivering panic, and “Girl Loves Me” tick-tick-ticked along implacably while she captured the curvy fillips of Bowie’s singing. And as it pressed forward, “Lazarus” reached further down into the grave and further up toward the stars all at once.”

Ziporyn and Beiser are no strangers to Australian audiences or to Adelaide. They cofounded the Bang on a Can All-stars (named Musical America’s 2005 Ensemble of the Year) in 1992, bringing the group to the Adelaide Festival for 5 critically acclaimed performances in 1996. This was soon followed by a US tour with Richard Tognetti’s Australian Chamber Ensemble, which culminated in a performance at the Sydney Opera House for the 2000 Olympic Arts Festival.

Since that time both artists have forged solo careers of unique distinction and scope, with Beiser’s 2016 TranceClassical debuting at the top of the Apple Classical charts, and her 2011 Ted Talk receiving over one million views. Ziporyn’s arrangements have been featured in Ken Burns & Lynn Novick’s 2017 10-part documentary, The Vietnam War, and on Silkroad Ensemble’s Grammy Award-winning Sing Me Home. In 2014 Beiser and Ziporyn collaborated on Uncovered, featuring Ziporyn’s arrangements for Beiser of music by Led Zeppelin, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, King Crimson, and Australia’s own AC/DC.

Both are thrilled at the prospect of returning to Adelaide. Says Ziporyn, “Our appearances together at the 1996 Festival were deeply formative for us, and were in many ways truly a springboard to what’s come since. Blackstar is the largest collaboration Maya and I have done together, and it feels very full-circle in a wonderful way to bring it to Adelaide Fringe.”

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Press

“Bowie is already symphonic. But last night another color was added to his music, a rich and adventurous density that easily and forcefully connected high and popular culture.” (Javier Blanquez, El Mundo)

“Beiser’s cello replaced the vocals of “Sue (Or In A Season Of Crime)” with a shivering panic, and “Girl Loves Me” tick-tick-ticked along implacably while she captured the curvy fillips of Bowie’s singing. And as it pressed forward, “Lazarus” reached further down into the grave and further up toward the stars all at once.” (Marc Hirsh , The Boston Globe)

Before the concert begins, please turn on your cellphones
by Zoë Madonna, The Boston Globe, February 24, 2017

WBUR THE ARTERY
by Jeremy Goodwin, WBUR Boston, March 3, 2017

Ambient Orchestra Reimagines David Bowie's Final Album 'Blackstar'
By Robbie Harris, WVTF Virginia's Public Radio, October 10, 2018

Blackstar’s Lively Ambience
by Stephanie Susberich, The Boston Music Intelligencer, March 9, 2017

Calendar

Upcoming Performances

2.28.19
Calderwood Hall
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Boston, MA
Composer/Conductor Evan Ziporyn has created a blockbuster tribute to the late David Bowie, transforming his final album, Blackstar, into a cello concerto for avant-garde cellist Maya Beyser, backed by the Ambient Orchestra. A special spectacle of light and projection is being developed by a team from famed music game developer Harmonix, especially for this performance in Calderwood Hall.

 

3.15.19
Adelaide Fringe
Elder Hall

The University of Adelaide, North Tce, Adelaide, SA, 5005
AMBIENT ORCHESTRA Presents FRIPP/ENO, LARAAJI & SATIE: AN AMBIENT PRIMER
American Composer/Conductor Evan Ziporyn opens a two-night recidency in Elder Hall with this world premiere featuring new arrangements of Fripp/Eno's 'No Pussyfooting"; Laraaji's "Day of Radiance" plus his own 'Frog's Eye' and an Ambient Orchestra arrangement of Satie's Gymnopedies.

 

3.16.19
3.17.19
Adelaide Fringe
Elder Hall

The University of Adelaide, North Tce, Adelaide, SA, 5005
AMBIENT ORCHESTRA Presents David Bowie's BLACKSTAR MAYA BEISER/EVAN ZIPORYN
David Bowie’s vast cultural influence on millions of people can’t be overstated. The late British star recorded 'Blackstar', his final album, in secret, releasing it days before his death. Composer/conductor Evan Ziporyn has now transformed 'Blackstar' into a stunning new arrangement for cello and orchestra. “Cello goddess” (The New Yorker), Maya Beiser solos with Ziporyn's Ambient Orchestra featuring musicians of the Elder Conservatory to bring this new version to the concert hall.



Past Performances

1.29.16 MIT Kresge Auditorium
Cambridge, MA

Orchestral Tribute to David Bowie

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS THE PAGE FOR THE LIVE STREAM VIA WQXR Q2 MUSIC

MIT Music and Theater Arts' orchestral concert tribute to David Bowie will feature the Boston area premieres of Philip Glass Symphonies No. 1, “Low” and Symphony No. 4, “Heroes.”  Both works were inspired by David Bowie and Brian Eno's groundbreaking albums that were part of the famous "Berlin Trilogy" of LowHeroes, and Lodger.  Performed by an all-volunteer orchestra comprised of area professionals and members of the MIT community under the direction of MIT Professor of Music Evan Ziporyn. This event is co-produced by MIT Music and Theater Arts and Richard Guérin with Orange Mountain Music. 


3.3.17 MIT Kresge Auditorium
Cambridge, MA

Maya Beiser and the Ambient Orchestra perform David Bowie’s Blackstar


7.13.17 l'Auditori
Barcelona, Spain
Bowie Symponic: Blackstar Concerto
Music by David Bowie, arranged by Evan Ziporyn
BARCELONA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (OBC), Evan Ziporyn, conductor, Maya Beiser, cello 
6.9,18

SummerStage
Central Park
Rumsey Playfield, Manhattan

 

BOWIE SYMPHONIC: ENSEMBLE LPR LED BY EVAN ZIPORYN PERFORMS BOWIE'S BLACKSTAR FOR CELLO AND ORCHESTRA
10.12.18 Moss Arts Center
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA

Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech presents Blackstar: Evan Ziporyn's Ambient Orchestra and cello soloist Maya Beiser perform David Bowie’s final masterpiece, Blackstar, featuring musicians from Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

 

10.13.18 Flynn Mainstage
Burlington, VT

Flynn Center Performing Arts presents Blackstar: Evan Ziporyn's Ambient Orchestra and cello soloist Maya Beiser perform David Bowie’s final masterpiece, Blackstar, featuring musicians from Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

 

11.1.18 Bass Concert Hall
University of Texas, Austin

Texas Performing Arts presents Blackstar: Evan Ziporyn's Ambient Orchestra and cello soloist Maya Beiser perform David Bowie’s final masterpiece, Blackstar, featuring musicians from Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

11.7.18 Bing Concert Hall
Stanford University

Palo Alto, CA

StanfordLive presents Blackstar: Evan Ziporyn's Ambient Orchestra and cello soloist Maya Beiser perform David Bowie’s final masterpiece, Blackstar, featuring musicians from Boston Conservatory at Berklee.

 

Contact


Christine Southworth, president and artistic director



For all inquiries including booking and media, please email info@airplaneears.com