Wordless stories take root in ICE‘s Hannah Kendall portrait concert

International Contemporary Ensemble

By Kurt Gottschalk, 26 April 2026

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“an engaging and rather filmic program”

Reviewed at Columbia University, Miller Theatre, New York City on 23 April 2026

Kendall, When flesh is pressed against the dark

Kendall, Even sweetness can scratch the throat

Kendall, Tuxedo: Diving Bell 2

Kendall, Building a Burning House (US premiere)

International Contemporary Ensemble

Nuiko Wadden, Harp

Damian Norfleet, Baritone

Julia Bullock in Meditations for Joséphine at Adelaide Festival

Sandra Bowdler, 3rd March

A challenging depiction of Joséphine Baker brilliantly performed by Julia Bullock under the direction of Peter Sellars at the Adelaide Festival.

****1

ICE plays Jennie C Jones at the Metropolitan Museum

Kurt Gottschalk, 5th October

The Met Museum is currently home to three large sculptures by multidisciplinary artist Jennie C Jones, whose graphic scores are performed by the International Contemporary Ensemble.

****1

ICE shows a new and exciting side of Dai Fujikura at Miller Theatre

Kurt Gottschalk, 5th March

Building on 15 years of collaboration with the ensemble, Gilded Wings (for two clarinets and strings) revealed a new maturity in Fujikura's always enjoyable music.

*****

Jörg Widmann's somber humor at Carnegie Hall

Kurt Gottschalk, 28th January

In fragments and miniatures, the ensemble pieces were most satisfying, allowing Widmann not to build arguments but define subjects by contrast, showing a quick wit and a flair for suspense.

*****

Kopernikus revival finds inspiration – and cliché – in the afterlife

Kurt Gottschalk, 15th May

Composer Claude Vivier approaches the unknowable with a text delivered by a septet of vocalists in a language of his own invention. But the new production adds overly literal video, trading abstraction for the obvious.

***11

Steve Reich world premiere in New York

Stephen Pritchard, 6th April

London's new Centre for Music has much to learn from the Big Apple's mistakes.

****1

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Kurt Gottschalk

Kurt Gottschalk is a journalist and author based in New York City. His writings on contemporary and classical music, jazz and improvisation have been published in outlets throughout Europe and America and he has two volumes of short fiction to his name. He produced and hosted the Miniature Minotaurs radio programme on WFMU and currently hosts Afternoon New Music on WKCR.