Bang on a Can, Ensemble Signal, and Carnegie Hall are delighted to celebrate 90 years of Steve Reich with a one-night-only event befitting “the most original musical thinker of our time” (The New Yorker), featuring many of the composer’s top collaborators in works that span five decades. Guitarist-composer Bryce Dessner (of The National) performs Reich’s influential and innovative Electric Counterpoint. Visionary pianists Lisa Kaplan and Nico Muhly perform the US premiere of Reich’s Two Pianos. Brad Lubman conducts a veritable supergroup comprised of Bang on a Can All-Stars and Ensemble Signal, which performs Reich’s Pulitzer Prize–winning Double Sextet, the US premiere of In All Your Ways, and Jacob’s Ladder, an extraordinary recent work.
A celebration of Terry Riley’s 90th birthday, featuring performances of his iconic pieces In C (called “musical democracy at its highest level” by the Library of Congress) and A Rainbow in Curved Air, the latter in a new transcription by Terry’s son and frequent performance partner Gyan Riley. Along with Gyan, Bang on a Can All-Stars and a host of special guests will conjure some of the greatest music of the 20th century under a full moon—aligning with Terry’s cosmic outlook in the most auspicious way.
Ryuichi Sakamoto “was arguably the best-known and most successful Japanese musician in the world.” (Peter Tasker, Nikkei Asia) Now Bang on a Can All-Stars offer their realization of the album 1996 (arranged by the All-Stars’ multi-talented clarinetist-composer Ken Thomson) — which includes an incredible selection of many of Sakamoto’s greatest hits.
Composer Julia Wolfe takes you to the coalmines of Pennsylvania, near the town where she grew up, in a place that the composer experienced as the Wild West for a long time. Her poignant Anthracite Fields honors the miners and their families who literally fueled America’s wealth for decades, at the cost of their own health. As in many of her works, Wolfe unearths a piece of American history that is not found in school textbooks or collective memory. For this compelling work for choir and augmented ensemble, the Flemish Radio Choir and Bart Van Reyn join forces with the Bang on a Can All-Stars, for whom Wolfe wrote the piece in 2014.
Composer Julia Wolfe takes you to the coalmines of Pennsylvania, near the town where she grew up, in a place that the composer experienced as the Wild West for a long time. Her poignant Anthracite Fields honors the miners and their families who literally fueled America’s wealth for decades, at the cost of their own health. As in many of her works, Wolfe unearths a piece of American history that is not found in school textbooks or collective memory. For this compelling work for choir and augmented ensemble, the Flemish Radio Choir and Bart Van Reyn join forces with the Bang on a Can All-Stars, for whom Wolfe wrote the piece in 2014.
Bozar Hall M Rue Ravenstein 23 1000 ,
BRUSSELS Composer Julia Wolfe takes you to the coalmines of Pennsylvania, near the town where she grew up, in a place that the composer experienced as the Wild West for a long time. Her poignant Anthracite Fields honors the miners and their families who literally fueled America’s wealth for decades, at the cost of their own health. As in many of her works, Wolfe unearths a piece of American history that is not found in school textbooks or collective memory. For this compelling work for choir and augmented ensemble, the Flemish Radio Choir and Bart Van Reyn join forces with the Bang on a Can All-Stars, for whom Wolfe wrote the piece in 2014.
Ryuichi Sakamoto “was arguably the best-known and most successful Japanese musician in the world.” (Peter Tasker, Nikkei Asia) Now Bang on a Can All-Stars offer their realization of the album 1996 (arranged by the All-Stars’ multi-talented clarinetist-composer Ken Thomson) — which includes an incredible selection of many of Sakamoto’s greatest hits.
Bozar Rue Ravensteinstraat 23,
Brussels Ryuichi Sakamoto “was arguably the best-known and most successful Japanese musician in the world.” (Peter Tasker, Nikkei Asia) Now Bang on a Can All-Stars offer their realization of the album 1996 (arranged by the All-Stars’ multi-talented clarinetist-composer Ken Thomson) — which includes an incredible selection of many of Sakamoto’s greatest hits.
Bang on a Can All-Stars celebrate Terry Riley’s 90th birthday year. This performance is part of the Minimal Music Festival.
There are musical works that you simply must hear live in your lifetime, and for this performance, we have not one, but two such classics. Terry Riley is a minimal music icon whose idiosyncratic blend of improvisation, electronica and drone music has had a massive influence on the music of our time. Riley recently turned ninety, and we are celebrating this with his ground-breaking masterpieces, In C and A Rainbow in Curved Air.
Ryuichi Sakamoto “was arguably the best-known and most successful Japanese musician in the world.” (Peter Tasker, Nikkei Asia) Now Bang on a Can All-Stars offer their realization of the album 1996 (arranged by the All-Stars’ multi-talented clarinetist-composer Ken Thomson) — which includes an incredible selection of many of Sakamoto’s greatest hits.
David Lang’s newest work – before and after nature – is a monumental meditation on how people might imagine the world, both before and after human existence. Featuring the electric Bang on a Can All-Stars and the Bucknell Choir, conducted by Caleb Hopkins, and with stunning video/visual design by Tal Rosner, before and after nature explores how people interact with the natural world, concentrating particularly on the things we don’t really see or understand.
The Bang on a Can All-Stars bring their boundary-breaking sound to FSU, as part of their “Festival of New Music” featuring Julia Wolfe!
Program:
Julia Wolfe, Reeling
Julia Wolfe, Lick
Julia Wolfe, Believing
Meredith Monk, Spaceship (arr. Michael Gordon)
Michael Gordon, Gene takes a drink
David Lang, sunray
Philip Glass, Closing (arr. Michael Riesman)
See the full line up of events HERE
In 2006 the downtown theater renegade Richard Foreman, who penned over 50 plays and nine operas across five decades, teamed up with renowned experimental composer Michael Gordon for a new collaboration. What came was a bitingly funny post-rock opera skewering the superficial pressures of society. Now, in its New York debut as part of Next Wave 2025 and Prototype Festival, What to wear is remounted for the first time in 20 years, returned to its original Richard Foreman staging by Big Dance Theater co-founders Annie-B Parson and Paul Lazar. In Foreman and Gordon’s pageant of seductiveness gone wrong, beauty gives way to something more transcendent—and our contemporary world of fast fashion and influencer culture renders their acerbic critiques still cutting and relevant as ever. A collaboration between BAM, Beth Morrison Projects, Prototype, and Bang on a Can, this historic re-staging honors Foreman’s trailblazing legacy, and confirms Gordon’s ceaseless musical vitality.
Direction, Libretto and Production by Richard Foreman
Music by Michael Gordon
Music Direction by Alan Pierson
Creative Direction by Paul Lazar and Annie-B Parson
Featuring Bang on a Can All-Stars
Ryuichi Sakamoto “was arguably the best-known and most successful Japanese musician in the world.” (Peter Tasker, Nikkei Asia) Now Bang on a Can All-Stars offer their realization of the album 1996 (arranged by the All-Stars’ multi-talented clarinetist-composer Ken Thomson) — which includes an incredible selection of many of Sakamoto’s greatest hits.
Krannert Center,
Urbana,
IL map David Lang’s newest work – before and after nature – is a monumental meditation on how people might imagine the world, both before and after human existence. Featuring the electric Bang on a Can All-Stars and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, conducted by Grant Gershon, and with stunning video/visual design by Tal Rosner, before and after nature explores how people interact with the natural world, concentrating particularly on the things we don’t really see or understand.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
David Lang’s newest work – before and after nature – is a monumental meditation on how people might imagine the world, both before and after human existence. Featuring the electric Bang on a Can All-Stars and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, conducted by Grant Gershon, and with stunning video/visual design by Tal Rosner, before and after nature explores how people interact with the natural world, concentrating particularly on the things we don’t really see or understand.
Ryuichi Sakamoto “was arguably the best-known and most successful Japanese musician in the world.” (Peter Tasker, Nikkei Asia) Now Bang on a Can All-Stars offer their realization of the album 1996 (arranged by the All-Stars’ multi-talented clarinetist-composer Ken Thomson) — which includes an incredible selection of many of Sakamoto’s greatest hits.
David Lang’s newest work – before and after nature – is a monumental meditation on how people might imagine the world, both before and after human existence. Featuring the electric Bang on a Can All-Stars and Chorwerk Ruhr, conducted by Florian Helgath, and with stunning video/visual design by Tal Rosner, before and after nature explores how people interact with the natural world, concentrating particularly on the things we don’t really see or understand.
A celebration of Terry Riley’s 90th birthday, featuring performances of his iconic pieces In C (called “musical democracy at its highest level” by the Library of Congress) and A Rainbow in Curved Air, the latter in a new transcription by Terry’s son and frequent performance partner Gyan Riley. Along with Gyan, Bang on a Can All-Stars and a host of special guests will conjure some of the greatest music of the 20th century under a full moon—aligning with Terry’s cosmic outlook in the most auspicious way.
David Lang’s newest work – before and after nature – is a monumental meditation on how people might imagine the world, both before and after human existence. Featuring the electric Bang on a Can All-Stars and the Helsinki Chamber Choir, conducted by Nils Schweckendiek, and with stunning video/visual design by Tal Rosner, before and after nature explores how people interact with the natural world, concentrating particularly on the things we don’t really see or understand.
Bang on a Can All-Stars perform a high octane set as part of the Helsinki Festival!
Program:
Angélica Negrón: Turistas with Kookik, a film by Keerati Jinakunwiphat 8′
Henry Threadgill: With or Without Card with Split Womb, a film by Rena Butler 6′
David Lang: interstate with film by Annie-B Parson 6′
Julia Wolfe, Believing 9’
-intermission-
Steve Reich, Electric Counterpoint 15′
Michael Gordon, I Buried Paul 10’
Philip Glass, Closing 6’
Steve Martland, Horses of Instruction 13’
A specially-chosen ensemble of players from Bang on a Can visit Caramoor for a celebration of legendary composer Terry Riley’s 90th birthday with a dynamic spatial-specific performance of Riley’s minimalist classic In C, a magical music adventure designed for the grounds of Caramoor.
This is a FREE performance.
3:00pm / Pre-concert conversation with members of Bang on a Can.
Ryuichi Sakamoto “was arguably the best-known and most successful Japanese musician in the world.” (Peter Tasker, Nikkei Asia) Now Bang on a Can All-Stars offer their realization of the album 1996 (arranged by the All-Stars’ multi-talented clarinetist-composer Ken Thomson) — which includes an incredible selection of many of Sakamoto’s greatest hits.
Ryuichi Sakamoto “was arguably the best-known and most successful Japanese musician in the world.” (Peter Tasker, Nikkei Asia) Now Bang on a Can All-Stars offer their realization of the album 1996 (arranged by the All-Stars’ multi-talented clarinetist-composer Ken Thomson) — which includes an incredible selection of many of Sakamoto’s greatest hits.
Celebrate Terry Riley’s 90th with a mesmerising tribute featuring Bang on a Can All-Stars, SHABAKA, Valentina Magaletti and special guests.
Marking his 90th birthday, this unforgettable night features the Bang on a Can All-Stars will in a stunning new arrangement of A Rainbow in Curved Air, blending the essence of Terry Riley’s visionary sound with fresh interpretations. The evening culminates in a powerful performance of Riley’s masterpiece In C, brought to life by an all-star cast of musicians, promising an evening of mesmerising rhythms and timeless melodies.
Muziekgebouw
Muziekgebouw, Amsterdam
A celebration of Terry Riley’s 90th birthday, featuring performances of his iconic pieces In C (called “musical democracy at its highest level” by the Library of Congress) and A Rainbow in Curved Air, the latter in a new transcription by Terry’s son and frequent performance partner Gyan Riley. Along with Gyan, Bang on a Can All-Stars and a host of special guests will conjure some of the greatest music of the 20th century under a full moon—aligning with Terry’s cosmic outlook in the most auspicious way.
David Lang’s newest work – before and after nature – is a monumental meditation on how people might imagine the world, both before and after human existence. Featuring the electric Bang on a Can All-Stars and chamber choir, and with stunning video/visual design by Tal Rosner, before and after nature explores how people interact with the natural world, concentrating particularly on the things we don’t really see or understand.
This performance includes the Penn State Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. Christopher Kiver.
Inspired by her love for the music and lore of Appalachia, Julia Wolfe based her text for Steel Hammer (called a “wild hybrid” by the New York Times) on over 200 versions of the “John Henry” ballad, which has been recorded by everyone from Johnny Cash to Bruce Springsteen. A runner-up for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize, Steel Hammer features the alternately haunting and whimsical vocalizations of Norway’s renowned Trio Mediaeval, and stretches the standard instrumentation of the Bang on a Can All-Stars with wooden bones, mountain dulcimer, banjo, clapping, clogging and more.
Amare Den Haag,
Netherlands Inspired by her love for the music and lore of Appalachia, Julia Wolfe based her text for Steel Hammer (called a “wild hybrid” by the New York Times) on over 200 versions of the “John Henry” ballad, which has been recorded by everyone from Johnny Cash to Bruce Springsteen. A runner-up for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize, Steel Hammer features the alternately haunting and whimsical vocalizations of Norway’s renowned Trio Mediaeval, and stretches the standard instrumentation of the Bang on a Can All-Stars with wooden bones, mountain dulcimer, banjo, clapping, clogging and more.
Inspired by her love for the music and lore of Appalachia, Julia Wolfe based her text for Steel Hammer (called a “wild hybrid” by the New York Times) on over 200 versions of the “John Henry” ballad, which has been recorded by everyone from Johnny Cash to Bruce Springsteen. A runner-up for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize, Steel Hammer features the alternately haunting and whimsical vocalizations of Norway’s renowned Trio Mediaeval, and stretches the standard instrumentation of the Bang on a Can All-Stars with wooden bones, mountain dulcimer, banjo, clapping, clogging and more.en.
World Premiere performance of David Lang’s before and after nature with video design by Tal Rosner!
Performed by the Bang on a Can All-Stars and the LA Master Chorale, conducted by Grant Gershon.
“before and after nature is a meditation on the natural world, both before human existence and after humans are gone.”
Link to program notes
Bang on a Can All-Stars and Nashville Symphony perform Julia Wolfe’s Flower Power! Conducted by Giancarlo Guerrero.
3 performances: January 24-26. With visuals by Jeff Sugg.
Julia Wolfe describes Flower Power, inspired by the 1960s counterculture movement, as “about optimism, idealism, psychedelia, breaking with convention, and a little bit of love and peace.”
Program also includes Beethoven’s Seventh.
The electric Bang on a Can All-Stars play an intimate concert of music by Bang on a Can co-founder Julia Wolfe – a set of new, recent, and ‘classic’ works featuring Wolfe’s signature combination of driving rock energy and minimalist serenity. Join Bang on a Can and National Sawdust for this end-of-year holiday hang as the All-Stars offer a sneak-preview of Wolfe’s Flower Power and more. Limited seating!
National Philharmonic Hall
Ryuichi Sakamoto “was arguably the best-known and most successful Japanese musician in the world.” (Peter Tasker, Nikkei Asia) Now Bang on a Can All-Stars offer their realization of the album 1996 (arranged by the All-Stars’ multi-talented clarinetist-composer Ken Thomson) — which includes an incredible selection of many of Sakamoto’s greatest hits.
At the same time that artists such as Marta Minujín and her New York Pop Art contemporaries were challenging the art establishment of the 1960s, there were also composers using ideas from popular culture to take on the institutions of serious music. With “Bang on a Can All-Stars Play Philip Glass,” a program including Glass’s iconic late 1960s works Music in 5ths and Two Pages, the All-Stars play music that reflects the time and ideals of Pop Art—experimental versus classical, high versus low—the time Minujín first broke into New York and ideals that remain evident in her work today.
This event is presented in conjunction with the current exhibition Marta Minujín: Arte! Arte! Arte!
The Bang on a Can All-Stars join Kronos Quartet in their Five Decade Celebration!!
Kronos Quartet welcomes a once-in-a-lifetime lineup of guest artists and ensembles to celebrate its 50th anniversary. This special concert includes a short film by award-winning documentarian Sam Green; the New York premieres of Carnegie Hall co-commissioned works by Michael Gordon and Gabriella Smith; and an extraordinary new “Sunrise Jam” version of Terry Riley’s Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collector for 50 musicians. With Special Guests Laurie Anderson, Jake Blount, Brian Carpenter, Tanya Tagaq, Wu Man, Aizuri Quartet, Attacca Quartet, Bang on a Can All-Stars, and Sō Percussion.
Meredith Monk’s MEMORY GAME
Performed by Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble and the Bang on a Can All-Stars
MEMORY GAME is both a look back at a pivotal point in Meredith Monk’s storied career, and a richly layered portrait of how vocal music—under the guidance of an indefatigable master—can play with our expectations in poignant and compelling ways.
This event is part of the Long Play Festival
Meredith Monk’s MEMORY GAME, as its title implies, is both a look back at a pivotal point in her storied career, and a richly layered portrait of how vocal music, under the guidance of an indefatigable master, can play with our expectations in poignant and compelling ways.
Meredith teams up for a live performance in NYC with her renowned Vocal Ensemble (featuring Theo Bleckmann, Katie Geissinger and Allison Sniffin) and the Bang on a Can All-Stars.
The Bang on a Can All-Stars, along with Bang on a Can’s artistic directors and founders, Michael Gordon, David Lang, and Julia Wolfe, celebrate the work of bassist Robert Black, a founding member of the All-Stars, who is retiring from his Hartt faculty position after 29 years.
Program:
David Lang – Cheating Lying Stealing
Michael Gordon – I Buried Paul
Julia Wolfe – Believing
George Lewis – Float, Sting
Meredith Monk – Spaceship
Philip Glass – Closing
Thurston Moore – Stroking Piece #1
The Bang on a Can All-Stars a high octane set of works by contemporary composers to Eau Claire Wisconsin.
Program:
David Lang – Cheating Lying Stealing
Michael Gordon – I Buried Paul
Julia Wolfe – Believing
George Lewis – float sting
Meredith Monk – Spaceship
Philip Glass – Closing
Thurston Moore – Stroking Piece #1
More info
Bang on a Can brings the Marathon concert to Colombia!
The Marathon in Bogotá will feature the Bang on a Can All-Stars alongside an incredibly diverse and amazing lineup of Colombian composers and performers. The concert features many different ensembles and soloists from different musical and cultural backgrounds including classical, jazz, and traditional Colombian and American traditions.
Bang on a Can All-Stars perform ROAD TRIP, by Michael Gordon, David Lang, and Julia Wolfe.
The Bang on a Can All-Stars perform their “Classics” in Bogota, Colombia
Program:
David Lang: Cheating Lying Stealing
Michael Gordon: I Buried Paul
Julia Wolfe: Believing
Steve Reich: Electric Counterpoint
George Lewis: float, sting
Meredith Monk: Spaceship from The Games
Philip Glass: Closing from Glassworks
The All-Stars perform a reading of new works by Colombian composers Andrés Felipe Poveda, Juan Manuel Jaramillo, Jesús Buendia Puyo, as well as give a lecture/demonstration including works by Michael Gordon, David Lang, and Julia Wolfe. This is a free event.
The Bang on a Can All-Stars perform their “Classics” in Medellin, Colombia
Program:
David Lang: Cheating Lying Stealing
Michael Gordon: I Buried Paul
Julia Wolfe: Believing
Steve Reich: Electric Counterpoint
George Lewis: float, sting
Meredith Monk: Spaceship from The Games
Philip Glass: Closing from Glassworks
Free with registration
Live music and dance on film! CAN DANCE is the Bang on a Can All-Stars’ newest show is a seamless integration of cutting-edge music, revolutionary dance, and film. Nine extraordinary choreographers have been commissioned to create dance/films to music written for and performed by the Bang on a Can All-Stars
Live music and dance on film! CAN DANCE is the Bang on a Can All-Stars’ newest show is a seamless integration of cutting-edge music, revolutionary dance, and film. Nine extraordinary choreographers have been commissioned to create dance/films to music written for and performed by the Bang on a Can All-Stars.
The Bang on a Can All-Stars are performing in Bruges!
Program:
Julia Wolfe: Big Beautiful Dark & Scary
Meredith Monk: Spaceship (arr. Michael Gordon)
Julius Eastman: Stay On It (arr. Ed Rosenberg III and Ken Thomson)
Brian Eno: Music for Airports
(photo of the All-Stars by Peter Serling)
This performance has been postponed – stay tuned for the new date coming up!
Meredith Monk’s MEMORY GAME, as its title implies, is both a look back at a pivotal point in her storied career, and a richly layered portrait of how vocal music, under the guidance of an indefatigable master, can play with our expectations in poignant and compelling ways.
Meredith teams up for a live performance in NYC with her renowned Vocal Ensemble (featuring Theo Bleckmann, Katie Geissinger and Allison Sniffin) and the Bang on a Can All-Stars.
The 2018 Carnegie Hall performance of Julia Wolfe’s Pulitzer Prize–winning Anthracite Fields was one of the season’s most unforgettable events. Inspired by the lives of Pennsylvania coal miners, Wolfe uses oral histories, interviews with miners and their families, speeches, and children’s stories in moving musical tableaux that depicts their plight. Hear this “major profound work” (Los Angeles Times) for the first time or be moved by it once again.
Bang on a Can All-Stars perform on the “New Music Series” at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI
Program
David Lang: sunray
Michael Gordon: gene takes a drink
Nick Dunston: Fainting is down, Whooshing is up
Julia Wolfe: Big Beautiful Dark and Scary
Meredith Monk: Spaceship
Louis Andriessen: Workers Union
more info
April 7 – Bang on a Can All-Stars and Ensemble Klang
April 8 – Meredith Monk’s MEMORY GAME
More info
Bang on a Can All-Stars and Meredith Monk perform MEMORY GAME at the Southbank Centre in London!
More info
The Bang on a Can All-Stars perform at Crosstown Arts!
Program:
- David Lang: sunray
- Michael Gordon: For Madeline
- Nick Dunston: Fainting is down, Whooshing is up
- Julia Wolfe: Big Beautiful Dark and Scary
- Meredith Monk: Spaceship
- Louis Andriessen: Workers Union
Big Ears Festival is back in 2022! It’s all happening March 24-27 in Knoxville, TN. Bang on a Can All-Stars will perform MEMORY GAME with Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble and also Terry Riley’s Autodreamographical Tales. The full line up is outstanding, and we can’t wait to see you there!
The Southern Exposure New Music Series is devoted to exploring the rich variety of contemporary classical and world music written in the past 30 years and masterworks of the 20th century.
Program:
David Lang: sunray
Michael Gordon: For Madeline
Nick Dunston: Fainting is down, Whooshing is up
Julia Wolfe: Big Beautiful Dark and Scary
Meredith Monk: Spaceship
Louis Andriessen: Workers Union
Julia Wolfe’s Steel Hammer is a moving retelling of “John Henry,” a classic American ballad of man versus machine. Based on hearsay, recollection, and tall tales, the piece features exquisite vocal writing complemented by Appalachian folk instruments, such as wooden bones, mountain dulcimer, banjo, clapping, and clogging.
Bang on a Can’s annual People’s Commissioning Fund concert returns with a high-octane concert of world premieres and an expanded Bang on a Can All-Stars lineup! The 2022 PCF concert is part of the Ecstatic Music Festival and will be hosted by WNYC’s John Schaefer.
The concert will also be live streamed on live.bangonacan.org
Tickets are $25 or $15 for students.
On December 10-12, 2021 at radialsystem Berlin, the Bang on a Can All-Stars will give their first performances abroad since the pandemic. Celebrated German dance company Sasha Waltz & Guests present their latest work, In C, for the first time with live music, performed by the Bang on a Can All-Stars. In C is a brand new dynamic dance work based on Terry Riley’s revolutionary and open composition by the same name.
The December 12 performance will be live-streamed on live.bangonacan.org
