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Soundcheck / June 06, 2008 / Ballet Mecanique, Performed by...Robots

Ballet Mecanique, Performed by...Robots

Friday, June 06, 2008

One of the great curiosities of 20th-century music is "Ballet Mécanique," a 25-minute percussion-and-piano extravaganza featuring 16 player pianos, electric bells, airplane propellers, an alarm clock and a siren, by Trenton-born composer George Antheil. The groundbreaking work is now being staged in a performance...by robots. Charles Amirkhanian, the music executor of Antheil's estate, and Eric Singer, the director of the League of Electronic Musical Urban Robots, join us with a preview.

"Ballet Mecanique" premieres with an automated orchestra as part of the performance Antheil's Legacy on Jun. 7 at 9:30pm at 3LD Art & Technology Center.

"Antheil's Legacy" Website
League of Electronic Musical Urban Robots
Video: "Ballet Mecanique" (film by Fernand Léger, Part 1)
Video: "Ballet Mecanique" (Part 2)


Comments

  • [1] stan from nyc June 06, 2008 - 02:36PM

    whenever i listen to jazz i am moved to drink fortified wine--what's the word? thunderbird. what's the price? thirty twice!

    folk music moves me to eat frozen snickers bars.

    jimi hendrix---tri-color pasta

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