Interviews

David Acevedo (CC ’19)

“Music that has brought me closest to tears is both traditionally beautiful […] but also has a degree of intentional imperfection embedded into it.”

Choosing the opening quote for composer & trumpeter David Acevedo’s (CC ’19) post was tough, because there were lots of good ones:

  • “You don’t have to force yourself to play art you don’t like.” (why isn’t this something we practice more?? Wouldn’t it save us from many unnecessary existential crises??)
  • “Improvisation is just spontaneous composition. Composition allows you to edit what you’ve done in improv.” (We’re feeling all the Jeremy Corren vibes here.)
  • Harvesting & distributing memes.” (when asked his favorite hobby aside from music. Check out his Insta for reference).

David’s music, which he writes and performs with his band, Eyehear, is a lot like his favorite food, pastelitos: layered and heady, satisfying, and a bit surprising, with its familiar flavor profile presented in a slightly tweaked way. In his own words, his music “allows for the improv I want to do.” It’s funky, jazzy, rough around the edges–a “multi-informed” sound that is strangely beautiful and very human.

Continue reading “David Acevedo (CC ’19)”

Interviews

Chatting with the Emerson Quartet: Eugene Drucker (CC ’73) & Lawrence Dutton

17353475_1471845019520776_4840744802835747773_nfrom left to right: Eugene Drucker (violin), Philip Setzer (violin), Lawrence Dutton (viola), Paul Watkins (cello)

Happy 40th anniversary to the Emerson String Quartet! On behalf of WKCR-FM, Columbia University’s non-commercial student-run radio station, Jordan spoke with Emerson Quartet’s violinist Eugene Drucker (CC ’73) and violist Lawrence Dutton about how they’re celebrating this year, their newly-released album – Chaconnes and Fantasias: Music of Britten and Purcell – their connection to Columbia University, and more. Don’t miss the Emerson Quartet as they tour this summer! Listen to the interview or read more below.

Continue reading “Chatting with the Emerson Quartet: Eugene Drucker (CC ’73) & Lawrence Dutton”