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From the Promoter

In recent years, the Music Gallery has devoted more time and resources to the presentation of adventurous, participatory musical systems. We have seen scores of local musicians from all walks of life learn from the masterful musical concepts of the likes of Pauline Oliveros, Adam Rudolph, Roscoe Mitchell and Katy Payne. We continue this sensibility here in presenting NGO, Tatsuya Nakatani’s Gong Orchestra (NGO), a contemporary live sound art project that tours throughout North and Central America.

Osaka-born, New Mexico-based Nakatani began germinating ideas for NGO in early 2002, and finally took the project on the road in April 2011. NGO is a continuous, growing community engagement project; and the only bowing gong orchestra in existence in the world today. The rich harmonies produced from multiple layers of bowed gongs are transformative, engaging and inspiring for both players and audiences.

As per Nakatani’s instructions, the Music Gallery curates an ensemble of local players to play his handmade gongs, bows and other instrumentation that travel with him from town to town. On the day of the concert, Nakatani conducts a specialized training workshop to these players in preparation for the performance. Players experience Nakatani’s unique point of view regarding gong techniques, and learn to work with the immersive vibrations of these special instruments. With as many as 14 gongs in play at any one time, the walls and ceiling of 918 Bathurst will shimmer with beautiful resonances and community feeling.

Nakatani performs a solo set to open the evening, then returns to conduct his own compositions for the group performance.