Flashes of Light, composed in 2014–15, connects the classical concept of a concerto with a provocatively unusual sound, made possible by the combination of brass and percussion instruments with four pianos.

Historically, writings for multiple pianos have been very rare and always originate from the composers’ specific intent or stylistic concept. In Kubík’s work, the use of four pianos is for the multiplication of the piano’s characteristics, including the ability to produce highly sophisticated inner textures and, of course, to substantially extend all technical possibilities of the instrument.

Ladislav Kubík (born in 1946 in Prague, Czechoslovakia) studied composition and music theory at the Prague Academy of Music. For his compositions, he received many recognitions, such as the Guggenheim Fellowship, distinctions at the International Rostrum of Composers UNESCO, the Intervision Prize, the International Franz Kafka Prize and numerous other awards. Commissioned by the prestigious organizations in Europe and America, his works have been performed in nearly 30 countries.

Artists

Hui-Ting Yang (piano), Phyllis Pancella (mezzo-soprano), Karen Bentley Pollick (violin) & Hui-Ting Yang (piano), Barbara Butler, Christopher Moore (trumpet soloists), Read Gainsford, Joel Hastings, David Kalhous, Heidi Louise Williams (piano soloists), Javian Brabham, Judy Gaunt, Seth Johnson, John Kilgore, Eric Millard, Rebecca Walenz (trumpets), John McGovern, Mitchell Gribbroek, Peter Soroka, Ben Tomlinson (percussion)

Alexander Jiménez