Exploring Sound And Silence At The Rothko Chapel

Plus, Patti LaBelle’s Tiny Desk (home) concert [View this email online]( [NPR Music]( Feb. 26, 2022 by [Marissa Lorusso]( This week, our colleague Anastasia Tsioulcas travels to Houston to hear Tyshawn Sorey’s music for the Rothko Chapel; plus, Patti LaBelle performs a Tiny Desk (home) concert. [Tyshawn Sorey leads a rehearsal of his Monochromatic Light (Afterlife) at the Rothko Chapel in Houston]( Scott Dalton/DACAMERA The Rothko Chapel in Houston, Texas is a nondenominational space, an art landmark and a center for human-rights action. The chapel features 14 monumental paintings by abstract expressionist Mark Rothko — some of his last works before his death in 1970. Commissioned by John and Dominique de Menil, the chapel officially opened its doors in February 1971. It’s a place many members of the NPR Music team have dreamed about traveling to — and recently, our colleague [Anastasia Tsioulcas got the opportunity to visit]( reporting on the debut of a new piece of music by composer, conductor, multi-instrumentalist and MacArthur "genius" Tyshawn Sorey, titled Monochromatic Light (Afterlife). Fifty years ago composer Morton Feldman wrote music to commemorate the chapel’s opening, and Sorey used a similar set of musical forces: percussion, celesta, viola, choir and soprano; he also added a piano and swapped the soprano soloist for a bass-baritone. [Tsioulcas spoke to Sorey about his relationship with Rothko’s music]( and how he wrote Monochromatic Light (Afterlife). He told her that he hopes his music gives listeners the feeling of being enveloped, like Rothko's paintings provide. “It's almost like you're moving around a room,” Sorey says, “and you're moving about the room in a silent sort of way, so you can be immersed in each moment that you go to." For those of us who weren’t able to witness the premiere, Monochromatic Light (Afterlife) will be recorded for ECM later this year, and will be performed this fall in New York City. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- New Music - Ambient music is everywhere these days — often working in the background — and its conventions frequently render its creators invisible. In other words, it’s tough for any single artist to really stand out. 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Plus, we shared a performance by blues singer [Buffalo Nichols]( who plays a solo Tiny Desk (home) concert from an office building in Austin. One More Thing [From “Milkshake” to veggies]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Listen to your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Listen Live]( [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( Need a new playlist? Follow NPR Music on [Spotify]( and [Apple Music]( What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: [nprmusic@npr.org](mailto:nprmusic@npr.org?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback) Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! [They can sign up here.]( Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Books, Pop Culture, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to NPR Music emails. 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