They play contemporary classical scores that are influenced by rock, and jazz incorporate improvisation and electronic effects?no wonder they call themselves Flexible Music.
Next week, the ensemble will bend musical boundaries by performing Bowdoin faculty and student compositions.
The New York-based group formed in 2003 as a result of a performance of Louis Andriessen's "Hout" for guitar, sax, piano, and percussion at the Julliard School.
"We enjoyed the experience so much that we wanted to continue to play together, but quickly found that there was virtually no other music written for our instrumentation," said Dan Lippel, the guitarist for Flexible Music.
The group began commissioning contemporary composers to write works for its unique ensemble.
The musicians now have nearly 30 pieces in their repertoire, all written specifically for Flexible Music. One of the pieces is by composer Nico Muhly, who has collaborated extensively with artists such as Bjork and Phillip Glass. The piece is entitled "Flexible Music," and when the group was debating what to call itself, the member the title of Muhly's work.
"We feel like it captures the versatility of our instrumentation and of the players," said Lippel.
Flexible Music consists of guitarist Lippel, percussionist Haruka Fujil, pianist Eric Huebner, and saxophonist Tim Ruedman. The musicians are all active in the New York music scene, and perform both nationally and internationally.
Flexible Music blends classical aspects with contemporary innovation.
"It has the meticulous feel of contemporary classical music and is heavily coordinated in terms of ensemble, notation and dynamics, but many of the pieces draw on energy that is much more closely associated with pop music or jazz," Lippel said.
Flexible Music will perform a variety of pieces on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Tuesday night, it will play a piece inspired by James Brown riffs and was composed by Bowdoin Assistant Professor of Music Vineet Shende.
They will also perform a piece influenced by Arabic music and jazz entitled "Urban Turban" by Amsterdam-based composer Ned McGowan. Other pieces include "Exorcist," "Closing Time," and "Stain," all of which were written for Flexible Music.
"Stain is perhaps the most overtly rock-influenced work in the program with several interlocking rhythmic grooves giving way to one another," said Lippel of New York composer Caroline Mallonée's piece. "It's almost like a live version of an indie-rock studio track."
On Wednesday night, Flexible Music will perform an entire concert of works composed by Bowdoin students. Senior Zach Tcheyan's senior honors project "Birthday Party," which he classifies as "modern art music" will be performed played by Flexible Music.
"Flexible Music is comprised of some of the most talented, open, and imaginative performers I have ever been exposed to," said Tcheyan.
"They are capable of communicating so many different types of music in a way that is natural and authentic, even though they often deal with material that has no precedent," he added.
Both performances will occur at the Studzinski Recital Hall in Kanbar Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. They are free and open to the public.