plus special guest Marija Kovačević

For the first night of String Theories 2022, the String Orchestra of Brooklyn is joined by the “doom jazz” trio Nepenthae to present a new work by composer and Nepenthae guitarist Zach Layton. The SOB will then be joined by the composer and vocalist Nyokabi Kariũki to perform new string and percussion arrangements of songs from her celebrated peace places: kenyan memories album and her forthcoming record.

Founded in 2007, the String Orchestra of Brooklyn has become an integral part of New York City’s vibrant and diverse musical landscape, bringing together creative instrumentalists, composers, and like- minded organizations and ensembles to collaborate on adventurous musical projects and present them to the public at an affordable price. Now in its 16th season, the String Orchestra of Brooklyn has been praised  for its admirable commitment to the music of our time by The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, I Care if You Listen, The New Yorker, and more.

The performance will begin with a performance by Serbian-born, New York City-based violinist Marija Kovačević, who works in classical, experimental, and improvisational music and theater. Her project Music for Broken Violins is an exploration of sonic textures and distortions with broken violins, bows, and their fragments. She envisions these instruments having an afterlife beyond their otherwise, discarded fates. A once-precious object is liberated from its functional norms, making way for new sound structures in both solo and group settings. Beyond New York, the project has traveled internationally to Stari Grad, Croatia, and Paris, France. During these exhibitions, spectators are encouraged to engage with the violins and abandon any preconceived notions of playing. Selections from Volumes 1 and 2 of Music for Broken Violins were recently featured on BBC Radio 3’s “Freeness” and “Late Junction” programs. The full albums can be streamed and purchased on Bandcamp.

String Orchestra of Brooklyn
Eli Spindel – conductor

Nepenthae
Henry Fraser – contrabass
Zach Layton – 17-string electric bass
Bobby Previte – drums

Zach Layton – composer
Nyokabi Kariũki – composer and performer
Matt Evans – percussion

Brock Monroe – live visuals

Marija Kovačević – violin

A livestream will be available free of charge at 8pm on the day of the performance and archived for future viewing. Watch below or on YouTube.