In Friday’s (2/7) Chicago Sun-Times, Mark Guarino writes, “Orchestral halls and grand theaters from early last century were built for symphonic works in matching the grandeur of the music, the scale of the performers to audience, and, of course, the need for acoustic precision. But what about a tavern? That is the setting that Chicago composer Jefferey Allen Thomas is working in to create symphonic music he says he hopes will break down barriers between the so-called high and low arts. As motivated by rock composers like Frank Zappa as he is Beethoven and Haydn and film greats Ennio Morricone, Thomas is interested in combining both worlds so that audiences will step across pre-conceived boundaries to experience music that has complexity and energy.… He will conduct a live performance of ‘Rumors,’ a 25-minute selection from a larger composition, at ‘Love is Love,’ an alt-Valentine’s Day event Feb. 7 at the Museum of Contemporary Art curated by the Hideout, the music room where Thomas works behind the bar, but also on the stage as a musician where he debuts new works.… Despite roots in indie rock, and playing in band since a teenager, symphonic music called to him as an adult for a very simple reason: ‘It sounded new.’ ”
Posted February 7, 2014
