What is Music Made of?

Wood, hair, callused fingers, a seeking spirit, tree sap, and gut… This interactive cello recital/music-dissection is an introduction to the miraculous combination of “materials” that comprise an orchestra and follows music back in time, around the world, and into the substances of the earth and the imagination. Be transported to the sunlit sanctuary of Bologna’s ancient San Petronio Basilica in 1689. Tackle the riddles ofJohann Sebastian Bach. Enjoy a sonic meditation, and open your ears to your own memories and visions, as we investigate the question: What is music made of?

Presented by Evan Leslie, managing director of the Texas Music Festival and director of community arts at the Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts, University of Houston, we will be treated to selections of ricercari by Domenico Gabrielli (Italian, 1651–1690), preludes and dances from the unaccompanied cello suites by Johann Sebastian Bach (German, 1685–1750), sonic meditations by Pauline Oliveros (American, 1932–2016), and other songs and musical games.

Evan Leslie is an arts educator and cellist.  He is the Managing Director of the Texas Music Festival and the director of UH Community Arts.  In Houston, Evan was formerly the Director of Education at Da Camera of Houston and the Managing Producer of Public Programs for the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. He has taught at HSPVA, American Festival for the Arts, University of St. Thomas, University of Texas at Austin, and the University of Houston.  From 2013 – 2020 Evan was Artistic Producer of Lincoln Center’s New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. At the “Lincoln Center Library,” Evan directed hundreds of music, theater, and dance programs, working collaboratively with the Metropolitan Opera, the Juilliard School, The Public Theater, New York City Ballet, WNYC radio, The New York Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall and Sesame Workshop. He has worked with a diverse spectrum of artists, from pianist Emanuel Ax to Grover the Muppet; from actor Alan Cumming to choreographer Pam Tanowitz; from composer/lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda to multi-talented performance-artist Laurie Anderson.   

As a cellist, Evan has performed with New York Classical Players, New York Chamber Music Festival, The Grand Teton Music Festival, Da Camera of Houston, Houston’s Catastrophic Theater, and the indie-rock band Hearts of Animals.  He attended the UH Moores School of Music and Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.