Astrid Schween

Rhapsody for electric cello and electronics

gordon — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 01:22:20 +0000

“…a soaring melody of aching beauty… a very memorable, tuneful, and captivating piece”
– Boston Musical Intelligencer

Cellist Astrid Schween and composer Gordon Green bring to life a unique collaborative experience featuring composer and performer live on stage in a dialogue between electric cello and “phantom orchestra.” Rhapsody is a state-of-the-art experiment in lyricism and tonal color, combining the virtuosic brilliance of cello playing at its best with the rich and varied timbral possibilities of fully integrated digital sound. Rhapsody…

• Features a flexible number of small movements that vary from solo to orchestral, lyrical to percussive, soulful to playful.
• Can be presented as an evening-length program by itself, or as a centerpiece or portion of a more traditional recital program.
• Is suitable for performance in venues of all sizes, from large concert halls to coffee houses.
• Offers a compelling variation on traditional chamber music, accessible to a wide range of audiences.
• Includes stage lighting and video projections for an exciting concert experience.

New Music!

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:18:27 +0000

Astrid Schween and Gordon Green have been presenting a unique new work this season to the delight of audiences. “Music for Electric Cello and Electronics” has made a splash as a constantly changing, evolving work of remarkable depth and adaptability. Presenting a mix of styles, compositional and instrumental techniques and sound worlds, the work was conceived for solo cello and “phantom” orchestra, and seems to appeal to listeners with a vast range of musical preferences. Concert Artist Guild recently presented the NY premiere on its recital series at Barbès in Brooklyn.

New CD and Recital Tours!

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:07:42 +0000

Arabesque Recordings will soon release “Something Borrowed, Something……,”
a new solo CD featuring Astrid Schween and recital partner Gary Hammond in a program of great Romantic music by celebrated composers…. not necessarily known for their music for cello.

This season, the Schween-Hammond Duo will also travel to Washington DC, Tennessee, Texas, New York, New Jersey and California for a series of recitals.

Chamber Music Activities!

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 23:06:39 +0000

Astrid Schween continues her collaboration with the Boston Chamber Music Society in a series of performances at Harvard’s Sanders Theatre. Other activities include performances with the Mirepoix Piano Trio in Memphis, the Leaf Peeper concert series in the Hudson Valley and with faculty at the Hartt School of Music.

New Appointments!

admin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 04:13:42 +0000

In June, Ms. Schween took part in the inaugural Cello Institute at Interlochen Center for the Arts, joining fellow cello professor Crispin Campbell and John Marshall. The three will hold the institute again next summer with a special guest cellist/teacher tba.

In August, Ms. Schween presented a series of lecture-master classes at the Aria International Summer Academy. She plans to return again next summer.

This fall, Ms. Schween has been invited to teach cello lessons and coach chamber ensembles at the Hartt School of Music.