On Oct. 28, Pendulum will present its second concert of the academic year. We reached out to Assistant Professor of Composition + Pendulum Director Annika Socolofsky—winner of the prestigious 2021 Gaudeamus Award—to get the scoop on the exciting work of the College of Music's new music concert series:
Describe Pendulum today and your vision for the ensemble:
Socolofsky: Pendulum is first and foremost a place for musical exploration—a chance for composers and performers to step out of their comfort zones and bring something brand new to life for the first time.
We're a rowdy bunch that loves to take risks and experience a huge range of musical genres and aesthetics. On any given concert, you can expect to hear just about everything from pop songs about dog excrement to existential string quartets, from fiddle tunes to art songs.
Pendulum is a space where we can celebrate personal expression within a community that values that authenticity.
How does Pendulum's concert this month deliver on your vision?
Socolofsky: As is usual for Pendulum, our Oct. 28 program will showcase a huge range of musical styles and expressions featuring works from 1961 right up to the present in the form of art songs, jazz, singer-songwriters and the Boulder Altitude Directive (BAD), CU Boulder's own contemporary music ensemble led by Composition Chair Carter Pann.
What's most exciting to you about Pendulum activities + programming this academic year?
Socolofsky: Some big events to look forward to this year include the BAD performances in October and March; the ~Nois Saxophone Quartet's residency in February as part of our show in the ATLAS Black Box Theatre; and, of course, the Ivalas Quartet on our season finale in April. All these performers will be premiering new works by CU Boulder student composers, so we'll be the very first to hear them!
Last but certainly not least, you won the 2021 Gaudeamus Award! What does this recognition mean to you and your work with Pendulum?
Socolofsky: Thanks! It's a huge honor and I'm still kind of in disbelief. The trophy itself was designed and built by Netherlands-based artist Nuni Weisz and is an instrument-sculpture titled "Inner Voice Amplifier."
The instrument allows you to hear your own voice the way it sounds when it leaves your body. I think this is the perfect metaphor for Pendulum because we do this every day as creators of new music—we send our voices out into the world to be heard outside of our own heads, to be shared with our beautiful community here at CU and beyond.
Learn more about Pendulum and upcoming Pendulum events.
