Fluid Dynamics
Violinist Rachel Lee Priday presents an innovative 60-minute solo violin program inspired by oceanography and new experiments, showcasing world premieres and dramatic animated visuals exploring the intersection of science, nature, and music
An experiment by Dr. Georgy Manucharyan, visualizing rainbow-refracting surface tension patterns on bubbles
OVERVIEW
Solo violin presentation by Rachel Lee Priday (60 minutes in performance + optional speaking/talkback)
Featuring seven brand-new works by some of today’s most exciting young composers, including world premieres by Gabriella Smith, Paul Wiancko, Cristina Spinei, Timo Andres, and Leilehua Lanzilotti
Optional live animation/video projection and immersive staging by Juniper Shuey of zoe | juniper
Options for engagement activities or lecture/recital with ocean scientist Georgy Manucharyan
New CD release out now on Orchid Classics (view music video of first single “Waterworks”)
“It's not just her technique, although clearly there's nothing she can't do on the fingerboard or with her bow.
No, what's most impressive is that she is already an artist who can make the music sing.”
– The Baltimore Sun
“Venturing far beyond Debussy’s “La Mer” — perhaps classical music’s most famous portrait of the sea — violinist Rachel Lee Priday, who also teaches at the University of Washington School of Music, combines music and science in this multimedia live performance premiere of her new project and album, “Fluid Dynamics.” Inspired by the research of oceanographer Georgy Manucharyan (also on the UW faculty), Priday commissioned six of today’s most interesting composers — including Gabriella Smith (now based in Seattle) and Kronos Quartet cellist Paul Wiancko — to respond to videos illustrating Manucharyan’s experiments tracking the physics of the ocean.”
PROJECT OVERVIEW
During the pandemic, ocean scientist Georgy Manucharyan reached out to violinist Rachel Lee Priday with fascinating videos of fluid dynamics experiments he had captured in his lab. These films struck Rachel as water choreography, seeking a musical response from a group of leading American composers to engage with the ways in which the laws of physics, which unite us all, leave space for individuality, chance, and interpretation.
These stunning new compositions reflect how we all derive energy from nature and in turn project our inner lives onto the observed world around us. Threads of minimalism, cyclical structures, unbridled lyricism, motoric energy and physicality run through these new and recent works for violin.
Rachel’s career to date is distinctive not just for her “irresistible panache” (Chicago Tribune) and international acclaim as a violinist, but also as a musician who operates in conversation with literary and cultural narratives. Fluid Dynamics pulls on these two threads simultaneously, as she continues to deliver masterful performances of thought-provoking repertoire, whilst offering an introspection that channels outside forces into engaging and compelling performance:
1. The flagship program features live animation and staging featuring a fluid scrim that adds physical dimensions to projected video.
2. A reduced version is also offered using fixed video projection and no staging.
3. And the program is also available without visuals
Oceanographer Georgy Manucharyan is available to speak at events for an additional fee.
Complete Performance Program
(60 minutes + optional speaking/talkback):
Leilehua Lanzilotti, ko’u inoa (2017) 6’
Paul Wiancko, Waterworks (2023) 5’
Leilehua Lanzilotti, to speak in a forgotten language (2022) 5’
i.
ii.
iii.
Cristina Spinei, Convection Loops for Violin and Loop Pedal (2022) 5’
Gabriella Smith, Entangled on a Rotating Planet (2022) 5’
Mark Dancigers, Skyline (2016) 5’
Katie Balch, Responding to the Waves (2016) 8’
I. Chrysalis
II. Nets of Wings
III. Fractures
Timo Andres, Three Suns (2018) 9’
Mary Kouyoumdjian, Water and Dust (2020) 4’
Other programs blending works from the Fluid Dynamics project with existing repertoire for violin and piano also available upon request
Contact
Rachel Lee Priday’s Fluid Dynamics program is represented by Visconti Arts.
For bookings, please contact Rachel’s manager Dan Visconti: dan@viscontiarts.com / 216-956-0078