Quince Ensemble with Paul Pinto and Annika K. Socolofsky

About the Event

Experience the awe‐inspiring architecture of the Merkin Concert Hall in New York. Composer, performer, and multidisciplinary artist Paul Pinto joins forces with the renowned contemporary treble voice quartet, Opera News, known as 'the Anonymous 4 of new music,' for the highly anticipated world premiere of 'The Approach' at Kaufman Music Center. Pinto's new song cycle is an intense Surrealist love story, showcasing the Quince Ensemble's virtuosic experimental vocalism with tight harmonies and clever, rapid‐fire lyrics. Drawing inspiration from 1960s soul female choruses, feminist protest anthems, and feminized A.I. assistants, 'The Approach' follows four women who encounter a mysterious sailor on the subway and embark on a quixotic journey through subterranean NYC, traversing past lives and dream worlds.

The program also features a performance by Pinto as part of his exploration of 'Whiteness,' along with the emotionally charged piece 'her lover's hand' by the critically acclaimed avant‐folk vocalist Annika Socolofsky. Socolofsky, accompanied by the Quince Ensemble, pays homage to traditional murder ballads while incorporating songs by Woody Guthrie and Tanya Tucker.

Program:
- ANNIIKA K. SOCOLOFSKY — 'her lover's hand' (2021)
 — Solo performance by Paul Pinto
- PAUL PINTO — 'The Approach' (2021) — World Premiere