ListN Up playlists are commissioned by American Composers Forum. Artists are selected by ACF staff (including I CARE IF YOU LISTEN and innova Recordings).
Pianist Mabel Kwan is fascinated by sounds, contradictions, and our perception of what is familiar or strange. She is a founding member of Ensemble Dal Niente, Honestly Same, and Mega Laverne and Shirley. A native of Austin, Texas, Mabel received piano performance degrees from Rice University and Northern Illinois University. She is a 2017 3Arts Awardee, 2018 High Concept Labs Artist, and 2020 City of Chicago Esteemed Artist.
Here’s a brief note from Mabel Kwan about her playlist:
Happy autumn, friends. This video playlist centers around performers and performances with visual components.
Papalotl by Javier Álvarez, Performed by Jacob Mason
I love Jacob’s playing so much. He is such an empathetic player, and has incredible technique that is deeply personal and expressive. I wasn’t aware of this piece before, but it is a rad piano solo that I think more people should know about. Jacob’s playing is brilliant as usual, and in this recording, I like the added element of the video editing during the electroacoustic solo sections.
Strange Autumn by Steven Takasugi, Performed by Alice Teyssier and Ryan Muncy
I had the pleasure of working with Steve on this piece many years ago. This version performed by Alice and Ryan stands out as my favorite. They are perfectly matched as a duo, and they bring a pathos to the character that is rare and incredibly moving. I’m glad their interpretation was captured so well in this video. I miss Ryan dearly and I wish I had let him know how much I loved this performance.
Perseus Slays the Gorgon Medusa by Laura Steenberge, Performed by Radical 2 (Dennis Sullivan and Levy Lorenzo)
Every moment in this piece is captivating and I nearly flipped out the first time I heard the ending of this piece. Pure genius. Hats (or heads?) off to Dennis, Levy, and Laura.
From The Basement full set by PJ Harvey
When I grow up I want to be PJ Harvey, and this is the kind of solo set I would want to play until the end of my days.
0-Coast Performance by Meg Mulhearn
I am a huge fan of Meg’s music, and this video was really inspiring to me when I was starting to play 0-Coast. I love the ‘silent interview’ woven into this performance.
ETHOS: INCEPTION by Ayako Kato/Art Union Humanscape, Performed by Tuli Bera, Aaliyah Christina, Lesley Keller, Amanda Maraist, Danielle Ross, Darling Squire, Ayako Kato (dancers), Mabel Kwan (piano & toy piano), Michael Zerang (percussion)
Ayako Kato is a force for good in the universe, and I encourage you to check out her multi-part ETHOS series, which investigates contemporary human interaction with nature. I had a great time playing in this project with the wonderful percussionist Michael Zerang. In this film, I especially enjoy “The Circle” segment (which begins at 16:41) with the overhead shots of the dancers, and the splicing of additional footage filmed in downtown Chicago.
I Inside the Old Year Dying by PJ Harvey
Back to PJ Harvey– my most listened to album of 2023 was I Inside The Old Year Dying. While this is not a performance video like the others, I feel compelled to share this beautiful music video for the title track.
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