Wednesday, June 3 @ 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm CDT
Nova Linea Musica’s season finale brings together vibrant voices from around the world in Blooming Under Blue Skies, a night of bold premieres and cross-cultural resonance.
The evening opens with guitarist Mak Grgić in two solo works: Leon Firšt’s shimmering Two Slovenian Songs and Hakki Cengiz Eren’s atmospheric Three Portals. Grgić is then joined by violinist Desirée Ruhstrat and cellist Wendy Sutter for David Ludwig’s April Variations, a luminous trio that draws on the unfolding rhythms of early spring.
At the heart of the program is the world premiere of a Nova Linea Musica commission by Grammy-nominated composer Clarice Assad. Assad’s music pulses with rhythmic vitality, expressive nuance, and Brazilian warmth, and this new work for guitar, violin, and cello marks a significant addition to the chamber repertoire. Performed by Grgić, Ruhstrat, and Sutter, the premiere reflects the spirit of cross-cultural dialogue that defines the evening.
The program closes with a suite of Piazzolla, tracing the composer’s range across four works: Histoire du Tango: Café 1930 for Rabia Brooke and Grgić, Oblivion for Ruhstrat, Sutter, and Grgić, La Calle for Ruhstrat and Sutter, and the full ensemble united for Libertango. From Slovenian folk reverberations to Brazilian rhythmic invention to the smoky lyricism of Buenos Aires, the evening offers a celebration of global artistry in full bloom.
Nova Linea Musica serves as a catalyst for the creation and promotion of new music through commissions, live performances, and the creation of exceptional audio and video recordings featuring dynamic emerging and established performers.
Program
Leon First: Two Slovenian Songs (Kje so tiste stezice & Obbistrem potoku je mlin)
Hakki Cengiz Eren: Three Portals
David Ludwig: April Variations for violin, guitar, and cello
Clarice Assad: The Raven (NLM Commission and World Premiere)
Astor Piazolla: Histoire du Tango
Artists: Mak Grgić (guitar), Desirée Ruhstrat and Rabia Brooke (violin), Wendy Sutter (cello)
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