When Words Fail
Monday, November 2, 2026 at 7:30pm
First Congregational Church
 

Rhythmic intensity and lyric experimentation are at work in pieces by Timo Andres, Curtis Stewart, Vivian Fung, and Charles Wuorinen, and the world premiere of Shawn Allison’s Vigil for the Disappeared. Examining the expressive power of music in the absence and aftermath of text, this program of works for smaller forces powerfully reshapes our perception of time and sound.

Program

Gunther Schuller
Gunther Schuller

Gunther Schuller

2025–2015

Phantasmata

Year: 1989Duration: 12'
Samantha Bennett,violin
George Nickson,marimba
Timo Andres
Timo Andres

Timo Andres

b. 1985

Words Fail

Year: 2015Duration: 10'
Samantha Bennett,violin
Wesley Ducote,piano
Curtis Stewart
Curtis Stewart

Curtis Stewart

b. 1986

Drill

Year: 2023Duration: 8'
enSRQ Arrangement World Premiere
Samantha Bennett,violin
Leah Latorraca,violin
Celia Hatton,viola
Jason Calloway,cello
Ryan Sujdak,double-bass
George Nickson,prepared-drumset
Vivian Fung
Vivian Fung

Vivian Fung

Canadianb. 1975

String Quartet No. 4 'Insects and Machines'

Year: 2019Duration: 12'
Samantha Bennett,violin
Leah Latorraca,violin
Celia Hatton,viola
Jason Calloway,cello
Charles Wuorinen
Charles Wuorinen

Charles Wuorinen

American1938–2020

Percussion Duo

Year: 1979Duration: 14'
George Nickson,percussion
Wesley Ducote,piano
[ designed and built ] by { Hojoon Kim }