The Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival is underway at MASS MoCA in North Adams for the 13th year. This year, the Festival culminates with an 8-day new music extravaganza called "Bang on a Can Plays Art" from July 26 through August 2. Fourteen concerts over this 8-day period will draw inspiration from the visual art on exhibit in the galleries at MASS MoCA.
For example, on July 29, the Festival Fellows will perform a new work called "Paper Chorus," wearing the paper sculptures of artist Ann Hamilton. On July 31, "Bang on a Can Plays Sol LeWitt" features the music of Steve Reich, who was a friend and admirer of LeWitt.
The festival also features a Bang on a Can All-Star performance of David Lang’s death speaks on July 26th – among numerous other events. Commissioned by Carnegie Hall and Stanford Lively Arts, death speaks draws its initial inspiration from the work of Schubert.