Modern Notebook for Week of October 2-8, 2022

Photo: Composer and pianist Sugar Vendil (Photo credit: Julia Comita)

The book Schottenfreude by Ben Schott bears the subtitle “German Words for the Human Condition,” and it is a collection of German words invented by the author inspired by everyday contemporary life. Schott’s book is also the inspiration for a series of compositions by Eric Nathan called “Missing Words.”

Join Tyler Kline for Missing Words V by Eric Nathan; plus, in June 2020, composer Sugar Vendil was commissioned to write a new solo violin work - but she only had six days to complete it. So, she focused on developing a process that allowed her to complete the work in a short amount of time, but also have some resemblance of structure. It’s titled Simple Tasks: Six-Day Deadline, and you can hear it on the next Modern Notebook.

Also on the show: works by Niloufar Nourbahksh, Sophia Bass, Baljinder Sekhon, James B. Wilson, and others; and performances by the Neave Trio, saxophonist Julian Velasco, Akropolis Reed Quintet, Couloir Duo, violinist Jennifer Koh, and more.

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By Tyler Kline • November 27, 2025

On the final episode of Modern Notebook with Tyler Kline: Hideaki Aomori’s Split stretches the bass clarinet to its limits, exploring the full breadth of its sound world. This hour also features Baljinder Sekhon’s Drifting Seeds for cello and harp, along with music by Anna Mieke, Vivian Fung, and more. Then: chamber music by Jessica Ackerley called Spark Surge — one of the highlights of the final hour. You’ll also hear Fumiko Miyachi’s piano duo Up, Down, Top, Bottom, Strange Charm , alongside music by Shirish Korde, Oliver Knussen, and others. Also in this episode: music by Tania León performed by pianist Isabel Dobarro; Claire Victoria Roberts performed by the National Youth Choir of Great Britain; Judd Greenstein performed by NOW Ensemble; Justin H. Bush performed by saxophonist Timothy McAllister and pianist Liz Ames; and flutist Tessa Brinckman performing music by Shirish Korde.