Qasim Naqvi: Slow Television

For his Roulette Commission, Qasim Naqvi will perform two new works—a solo study for modular synthesizer and a chamber work for piano, string trio, and three improvisers, featuring Caroline Davis, Grey Mcmurray, Scott Colberg, and members of the International Contemporary Ensemble. A note from Naqvi on the inspiration behind the work: “In 2015, I was invited to create music for a video installation, and through that project I began to study the music of New York composer Earle Brown and the early work of the Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki. What drew me to both composers was their unique approach to open form and graphic notational systems—a symbolic notational language that allowed for broad interpretive possibilities within an ensemble. When infused with traditional musical notation and very concise parameters, the result for me was a kind of magical tightrope between legible and illegible musical form. Like an image distorting and rippling back into its natural state. Through this study, I created a series of works utilizing a graphic notational system of my own design. This evening’s music is a continuation of that language, which I am revisiting after almost a decade. These pieces are dedicated to Roulette Intermedium. Creative music institutions have risen and fallen over the decades, yet Roulette has persevered, programming some of the most uncompromising and adventurous art in the world. This music is a dedication to their spirit.” Qasim Naqvi modular synthesizer Caroline Davis alto saxophone Grey Mcmurray prepared acoustic guitar, electric guitar Scott Colberg acoustic bass *FREE FOR ALL ROULETTE MEMBERS * A livestream will be available free of charge at 8pm on the day of the performance and archived for future viewing. Qasim Naqvi is a percussionist, composer, and synthesist. In addition to being the drummer of the lauded cult minimalist trio Dawn of Midi, Naqvi is an accomplished solo artist whose passion for multidisciplinary work has led him into the worlds of film, dance, installation art, and orchestral and chamber music. His concert music has been commissioned and performed by London Contemporary Orchestra, BBC Concert Orchestra, Crash Ensemble, Bang on a Can All-Stars, Jennifer Koh, Stargaze, Cello Octet Amsterdam, Helsinki Chamber Choir, among others. Other collaborations include original music for Academy Award–winning documentarian Laura Poitras and Turner Prize–nominated filmmaker and installation artist Naeem Mohaiemen. Qasim has released music as a bandleader on the labels Erased Tapes Records, New Amsterdam Records, Red Hook Records, and NNA Tapes. This performance by Qasim Naqvi was commissioned by Roulette, made possible with funds provided by the New York State Council on the Arts. This performance is presented through Roulette’s GENERATE program, providing over 20 artists each year with in-depth creative and technical support. For his Roulette Commission, Qasim Naqvi will perform two new works—a solo study for modular synthesizer and a chamber work for piano, string trio, and three improvisers, featuring Caroline Davis, Grey Mcmurray, Scott Colberg, and members of the International Contemporary Ensemble. A note from Naqvi on the inspiration behind the work: “In 2015, I was invited to create music for a video installation, and through that project I began to study the music of New York composer Earle Brown and the early work of the Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki. What drew me to both composers was their unique approach to open form and graphic notational systems—a symbolic notational language that allowed for broad interpretive possibilities within an ensemble. When infused with traditional musical notation and very concise parameters, the result for me was a kind of magical tightrope between legible and illegible musical form. Like an image distorting and rippling back into its natural state. Through this study, I created a series of works utilizing a graphic notational system of my own design. This evening’s music is a continuation of that language, which I am revisiting after almost a decade. These pieces are dedicated to Roulette Intermedium. Creative music institutions have risen and fallen over the decades, yet Roulette has persevered, programming some of the most uncompromising and adventurous art in the world. This music is a dedication to their spirit.” Qasim Naqvi modular synthesizer Caroline Davis alto saxophone Grey Mcmurray prepared acoustic guitar, electric guitar Scott Colberg acoustic bass *FREE FOR ALL ROULETTE MEMBERS * A livestream will be available free of charge at 8pm on the day of the performance and archived for future viewing. Qasim Naqvi is a percussionist, composer, and synthesist. In addition to being the drummer of the lauded cult minimalist trio Dawn of Midi, Naqvi is an accomplished solo artist whose passion for multidisciplinary work has led him into the worlds of film, dance, installation art, and orchestral and chamber m