Sarah Rothenberg's The Blue Rider in Performance Revives Kandinsky-Schoenberg Collaboration at Miller Theatre
On September 23 and 25, 2009, Miller Theatre at Columbia University hosted The Blue Rider in Performance, a multimedia event envisioned by pianist Sarah Rothenberg. This production delved into the interplay between music and visual art, drawing inspiration from Vasily Kandinsky's 1911 experience with Arnold Schoenberg's compositions. Featured artists included soprano Susan Narucki, the Brentano String Quartet, and dancers from Armitage Gone! Dance. The sold-out event celebrated the opening of Miller Theatre's 21st season under the direction of Melissa Smey. The program showcased pieces by Schoenberg, Thomas de Hartmann, Arthur Lourié, Webern, and Scriabin, accompanied by projections of Kandinsky's artwork, with lighting and set design by Marcus Doshi and projection design by Sven Ortel.
Key facts
- The Blue Rider in Performance occurred at Miller Theatre, Columbia University on September 23 and 25, 2009
- Sarah Rothenberg conceived and performed in the multimedia production exploring Kandinsky-Schoenberg connections
- The event featured projections of Vasily Kandinsky's artwork alongside music from 1911 and surrounding period
- Performers included Susan Narucki, Brentano String Quartet, and Armitage Gone! Dance members
- The sold-out performance opened Miller Theatre's 21st season under new director Melissa Smey
- Program included works by Schoenberg, de Hartmann, Lourié, Webern, Berg, and Scriabin
- Projections transformed the stage into a tripartite screen with lighting by Marcus Doshi and projections by Sven Ortel
- The production referenced Kandinsky's 1911 inspiration from Schoenberg that led to Der Blaue Reiter group formation
Entities
Artists
- Sarah Rothenberg
- Susan Narucki
- Mark Steinberg
- Serena Canin
- Misha Amory
- Nina Maria Lee
- Leonides D. Apron
- Megumi Eda
- William Isaac
- Mei-Hua Wang
- Vasily Kandinsky
- Arnold Schoenberg
- Thomas de Hartmann
- Anna Akhmatova
- Arthur Lourié
- Anton Webern
- Alban Berg
- Alexander Scriabin
- Lucy Shelton
- Melissa Smey
- Marcus Doshi
- Sven Ortel
Institutions
- Miller Theatre
- Columbia University
- Guggenheim Museum
- Der Blaue Reiter
- Armitage Gone! Dance
- Brentano String Quartet
Locations
- New York City
- United States