Biography
Yarn/Wire consists of two pianists and two percussionists who have placed the development of contemporary repertoire at the core of their activities, with a sustained emphasis on works by composers from racial and gender minority backgrounds. The ensemble originated in 2005 at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where its founding members were then enrolled as graduate students. After exploring the modest existing body of literature written for this instrumentation, the musicians concluded that they must generate their own body of work, and commissioning has remained central to their mission. Laura Barger and Daniel Schlosberg were the original pianists, while Ian Antonio and Russell Greenberg served as the first percussionists. Barger and Greenberg continue with the group, which as of 2021 also includes pianist Ning Yu and percussionist Sae Hashimoto. Each participant maintains an independent performing and teaching schedule, collaborating with a wide array of traditional and experimental artists and ensembles.
The members describe their commitment as “devoted to expanding the representation of composers including but not limited to those who identify as women, LGBTQIA+, Black, African, Indigenous, Latina(o)(x), Asian, or Arab so that it might better reflect our communities and amplify their full creative potential.” In addition to direct commissions, Yarn/Wire engages in cross-genre projects both domestically and internationally while maintaining educational outreach. Among the composers from whom they have commissioned pieces are Tyondai Braxton, Kate Soper, and Øyvind Torvund; they have also developed collaborations with Tristan Perich, Mark Fell, and Sufjan Stevens. Their recorded output, released on Wergo, New Amsterdam, Northern Spy, and, in 2021, Black Truffle, has drawn significant notice, including an album of new works by experimental composer Annea Lockwood.
The members describe their commitment as “devoted to expanding the representation of composers including but not limited to those who identify as women, LGBTQIA+, Black, African, Indigenous, Latina(o)(x), Asian, or Arab so that it might better reflect our communities and amplify their full creative potential.” In addition to direct commissions, Yarn/Wire engages in cross-genre projects both domestically and internationally while maintaining educational outreach. Among the composers from whom they have commissioned pieces are Tyondai Braxton, Kate Soper, and Øyvind Torvund; they have also developed collaborations with Tristan Perich, Mark Fell, and Sufjan Stevens. Their recorded output, released on Wergo, New Amsterdam, Northern Spy, and, in 2021, Black Truffle, has drawn significant notice, including an album of new works by experimental composer Annea Lockwood.
Albums
