Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 8:00 PM to 10:30 PM
2220 Arts + Archives, Los Angeles
Piano Spheres presents: Thomas Kotcheff - "Phase Shifter". ∆ Thomas Kotcheff: The inspiration for *Phase Shifter* grew out of my collaboration with composer and electronic artist Bryan Curt Kostors, where we delved into the question: What does it mean to interpret music in the context of modern classical performance? In many other musical genres, interpretation is expected to be transformative — a performer takes an existing piece and makes it entirely their own. Think of Tony Bennett’s rendition of The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby,” which reimagines the song through a completely different artistic lens. In contrast, the convention in modern classical music tends to favor fidelity — the performer’s role is often seen as one of precision, aiming to recreate the original score as accurately as possible. *Phase Shifter* challenges that norm. This concert is about expanding the role of the ‘classical interpreter’ — shifting expectations and embracing a broader, more fluid definition of interpretation. The program brings together two seemingly unrelated worlds: the rigorous chromatic pointillism of Morton Feldman (whose centenary we celebrate this season), and iconic works from popular and electronic music. The common thread between these divergent elements is me, the performer. What may sound like remixes or reimaginings are, at their core, simply interpretations — shaped by the same creative impulses that guide any artist working across genre boundaries. ∆ PROGRAM: Cher/Ligeti — Believe Morton Feldman — Nature Pieces Squarepusher — Tommib Morton Feldman — Intermission 3 Aphex Twin — aisatsana Morton Feldman — Intermission 5 Celine Dion/Kotcheff — The Power of Love Sophie Mathieu — New commission solo piano piece Beyoncé/Alex Weiser/Kotcheff — Love on Top ~ Thomas Kotcheff, piano Bryan Kostors, synthesizers with special guest Mike Compitello, snare drum