G. Schirmer and Wise Music Group are pleased to announce a new performance edition of Femenine, a seminal work of open-form minimalism composed by Julius Eastman in 1974. Now available to purchase directly from Classical On Demand, the publication of Femenine coincides with several upcoming performances of Eastman’s music and exhibitions that celebrate his creativity.
In New York, Julius Eastman & Glenn Ligon: Evil Nigger opens January 24 at 52 Walker. In Los Angeles, World of Echo: The Music of Julius Eastman and Arthur Russell opens March 4 at REDCAT, with performances by Wild Up to follow throughout the month. This ensemble is renowned for their ongoing recorded anthology of Eastman’s music for New Amsterdam Records, and will perform their arrangements of works including Evil Nigger, Gay Guerrilla, and That Boy. There will also be a performance of The Holy Presence of Joan d’Arc led by Seth Parker Woods, whose recording of the work was recently nominated for a GRAMMY Award.
In the dance world, Kyle Marshall Choreography offers the world premiere of their transcendent setting of Femenine March 29 at Drew University, while Pittsburgh Ballet debuts new choreography by Caili Quan set to Stay On It April 4-6.
The Schirmer edition of Femenine was created in collaboration with richard valitutto, pianist and longtime Eastman scholar. They were the featured soloist on Wild Up’s acclaimed recording of Femenine from 2021, and have performed the piece many times before and since. The edition features an extended written introduction and performance note from valitutto, as well as a new engraving of the piece itself.
“Scant musical instructions can be seen as an invitation—both generative and provocative,” valitutto notes in their introduction – therein lies the magic and the challenge Femenine has to offer. Over the course of 70 minutes, performers use a stopwatch to traverse a number of different musical motives, which are elaborated upon through structured improvisation. The instrumentation is open, but a vibraphone ostinato and pulsing sleigh bells are at the center of the work, serving throughout as a canvas, a gentle refrain, and a springboard for transcendence.
“I am profoundly honored to have served as editorial advisor and author of the program and performance notes for Julius Eastman’s Femenine, a work I have come to know and love like a dear friend,” writes valitutto on the occasion of Femenine’s publication. “My deepest gratitude goes to G. Schirmer, Inc. for their dedication to championing this extraordinary work, ensuring its enduring impact on contemporary music, and honoring Eastman’s visionary legacy for generations of performers and audiences to come.”
We at G. Schirmer hope that Eastman's gifts of provocation, experimentation, and humanity will continue to inspire listeners long into the future.
For more information, please contact your local Wise Music Promotion Team; Contact Us.
