“She dared listeners to deny that a cello possesses the power of speech. Beiser has the power to bestride oceans and pluck the common utterance from regions thousands of miles apart.”—Newsday
Internationally acclaimed cellist/former Bang on a Can All-Star Maya Beiser takes the cello to uncharted territories, merging classical, electronic, rock, and global sounds. In Almost Human, she explores music inspired by ancient vocal traditions—Renaissance madrigals, traditional Chinese and Taiwanese styles, Moroccan chants, Jewish cantorial songs, and ritualistic Indian works. The evening includes the much-awaited Midwest debut and Walker-commissioned collaboration between Beiser, composer Eve Beglarian (Forgiveness), and visual artist Shirin Neshat (represented in the Walker’s collection), whose stunning film footage complements Beiser’s performance. Pieces by composers Michael Gordon (Bang on a Can), Tan Dun (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero), and Brett Dean (with special guests, members of the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers) are also illuminated by Beiser’s interpretive mastery.
Walker Commission
