More than a composer, Mary Ellen Childs devised a neat trick to lure skeptical listeners to her contemporary chamber music concerts. The Northeast Minneapolis resident is known nationally in avant-garde music circles for supplementing cutting-edge sonic experiences with any number of visual hooks. With Dream House, for instance, which premiered at the Southern Theater in 2004, rhythmic music for live string quartet and innovative theatrical lighting played against time-lapse video of a demolition and subsequent construction at the site of Childs’s own home. Twin Citians haven’t heard (or seen) much from Childs in the intervening years, but she is presently putting the finishing touches on a retrospective for Crash, the “visual percussion” ensemble she has worked with for the past twenty years, whose members have backgrounds in everything from marching band to dance and tai chi. Drumming in Motion: Mixed and Remixed incorporates drummers on wheels, giant illuminated gongs, and a marimba powered by stationary bicycle. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Childs performance without a collaborating video artist—in this case, Daniel Polsfuss. Hints of what inspires these irreverent and, at times, oddball creations can be found in this annotated list of Childs’s favorite albums:
1. Rivers and Tides, Fred Frith
Spare but perfect music written for a beautiful film about a fascinating subject. Every time I listen to it the images from the film come flooding back.
2. Accordion Tribe, Guy Klucevsek,
Maria Kaleniemi, Lars Hollmer, Otto Lechner, and Bratko Bibic
The accordion has always been one of my favorite instruments for which to write. And what could be better than one accordion, but five? The sound of these fine musicians playing together is nothing short of amazing.
3. Volver, Alberto Iglesias
I loved this Almodóvar film and was so enchanted by its sonorous and evocative music that I bought the CD the very next day.
4. Eislermaterial, Heiner Goebbels
For some this is an acquired taste. For me, I can’t tell you why I am so taken with Heiner Goebbels’s music except that it’s not quite like anything I’ve heard before. It has an ineffable “something” that completely captures my imagination.
5. The Essential Michael Nyman Band, Michael Nyman
Years ago an enthusiastic Michael Nyman fan introduced me to his music and I thought “So?” Recently, however, I listened again—and I’m riveted. This music goes straight to my heart.
6. Film Works Anthology, John Zorn
The range of styles and moods on this cross section of Zorn’s work is impressive and fascinating.
7. Livro, Caetano Veloso
What else can I say about Caetano Veloso except that he’s a master? I can listen to his voice, his songs, hour after hour.
8. Earbox, John Adams
I’m such a John Adams aficionado that one CD will not suffice. This is a ten-CD set, but if pressed to recommend just one piece, it’d be Fearful Symmetries. The virtuosic and emotional sweep of this orchestra piece gets to me every time.
9. Perfectly Frank, Tony Bennett
This is my favorite way to hear Frank Sinatra hits—sung by Tony Bennett.
10. Light, Ethel
I’ve worked with Ethel and these guys are simply the best. They’ve been called a string quartet that plays like a rock band—and it’s true.
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