Julliard's AXIOM with the Sibelius Academy

The program for Thurs. Mar. 28th, featured all works by living composers, except for Elliott Carter's "Asko Concerto."  Mr. Carter turned 100 in 2008; a year in which he was feted by Julliard.  Many of the programs Julliard performed in '08 were Mr. Carter's compositions.  I was fortunate to be present at one such program in which Mr. Carter was in the audience.   He was lauded with a lasting standing ovation.  Mr. Carter passed away last year at the age of 104.  "What did he die of you ask?"  I could make light of his passing by saying he was struck by a bus, but that would be heresy. The honors bestowed on one of the great genuises of the 20th (& 21st C) include:  2 time Pulitzer-Prizes, the 1st U.S. Nat'l Medal of Arts awarded a composer & Ernst Von Siemens Music Prize.  The illustrous list of his many honors is gargantuan.  The performance of his "Asko Concerto," on the program paid homage to a leadeing pioneer of an inovative style, blending classical music with a more complex & dramatic expression.  The other composers on the program:  Sheperd, Mure, Cheung have all been influenced by Carter's radical conventions.   Sean Sheperrd, (b. 1979) was in the audience as the Int'l conductor, Susanna Malkki, called him out in the audience with great pleasure.  Sheperd's piece "Blur," & Finish composer, Pumala's "Mure," were both aggressive and unexpected with mood changes in their pieces & surprising rhythmic phrasing.  Mure had the bass player utilize his bow & his finger plucking.  Sheperd's pianist switched from piano to organ in his piece.  Both artists incorporated a harpist and a multitude of percussive instruments giving both aggressive and angelic sounds.  Jullliard's musical performances are "like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get."  It is always a delicious treat to find out.