Modfest brings modern arts to Vassar

Chloe McConnell Arts Editor

Sara Wilf Guest Writer

Many Vassar students do not consider non-rhythmic classical compositions and cartoon-like drawings as significant artistic achievements. With the hopes of broadening students’ horizons, Vassar is hosting the sixth annual Modfest on the weekends of Jan. 25 and Feb. 1. The festival showcases modern artists from the past 100 years and encompasses 12 performances, each of which combines the different disciplines of music, poetry, dance and visual art.

Modfest was first envisioned by Dee Wilson, a Vassar alumna and wife of Richard Wilson, who holds the Mary Conover Mellon Chair in Music at Vassar.

“The purpose,” Wilson wrote of his wife’s vision, “is to accentuate the amount of arts activity on campus and to bring the various participants, both students and faculty, into closer contact with each other.”

Initially Modfest was mainly music-oriented, but in keeping with the Wilsons’ philosophy, it has broadened its scope and is now co-sponsored by the Vassar College Music, English and Art Departments.

The Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre will be featured in Modfest and performing “The Grand Duo” by Lou Harrison, which is designed by award-wining choreographer Mark Morris. There is also an exhibition of Saul Steinberg’s illustrations at the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center that will serve as a backdrop for a poetry reading by English Department students. Other events include concerts by the Vassar College Women’s Chorus and the Vassar College Orchestra.

“[It is] an exciting series of events that gives us performers, composers and audience the opportunity to celebrate and support the artistic visions of our modern composers, the composers of our time,” said Director of Choral Activities Christine Howlett.

Several world-renowned artists are honored and involved in this year’s festival, including, Pulitzer Prize-winning, Italian-American contemporary composer David Del Tredici, American composer Lou Harrison, the chamber music ensemble The Mannes Trio, and the work of celebrated French composer Olivier Messiaen.

Del Tredici is the foremost artist in this year’s line-up. His early works were inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, while his most recent compositions have been influenced by the literary works of James Joyce, Allen Ginsburg and Federico García Lorca. Del Tredici is the recipient of numerous awards, including a 2006 Grammy nomination for Best New Classical Composition.

Del Tredici will attend performances of his compositions, play in one of the concerts, coach the Mahagonny Ensemble and give a lecture with Wilson.
The Mannes Trio, who played on Jan. 27, was originally formed in the 1920s, and reassembled in 1982 after a period of inactivity. The Trio now includes Vassar music faculty member Thomas Sauer. Their repertoire is comprised of classical and contemporary composers, and the Trio played works by both Beethoven and Del Tredici.

Vassar is also hosting a tribute performance to Messiaen, to be played by Vassar organist Gail Archer. Messiaen, a French composer, counted birdsong, Greek rhythms and Japanese music among his many diverse influences. The Centennial Concert dedicated to Messiaen’s memory was performed on Jan. 25.

“I think some people shy away from modern music,” Howlett wrote, “because they do not understand the language of the composer. However, these events allow people to really explore art on many different levels.” In response to most individuals’ aversion to contemporary music due to its inharmonic intervals and odd instrumentation, Howlett said, “Those that attend will hear or see something that really speaks to them and is inspiring on some level.”

If you go:

Feb. 3, 3 p.m.
Modfest 12: Vassar Women’s Chorus and Community Wind Ensemble in Skinner Hall of Music