X88



X88 is a new transatlantic piano duo consisting of Canadian pianist Vicky Chow and Dutch pianist Saskia Lankhoorn. They came together for a series of concerts in the Netherlands in 2012 performing works by John Luther Adams and David Lang with new works by Kate Moore and Evan Ziporyn. With both the pianists’ backgrounds in championing new works with their respective ensembles (Bang on a Can All-Stars and Ensemble Klang) as well as their own solo projects, Chow and Lankhoorn decided to pursue commissioning, performing, and recording new works for the duo. Upcoming projects include a new program titled “Outer Limits”, exploring the boundaries between performer and audience using visual and theatrical elements, as well as technology and improvisation. The evening will include Tristan Perich’s “Dimensional Bloom” in addition to other newly commissioned works by composers Nik Bärtsch (Switzerland), Pete Harden (UK/The Netherlands), and Vanessa Lann (USA/The Netherlands) The premiere is set for this fall in the Netherlands and the US. 

 

Vicky Chow



“One of the new stars of new music” -Los Angeles Times
“Brilliant” -New York Times
“A monster pianist” -Time Out New York

Canadian pianist Vicky Chow is the pianist for the Bang on a Can All-Stars, Grand Band, New Music Detroit, X88 and has collaborated with other ensembles including the International Contemporary Ensemble and Wet Ink Ensemble. Her recent recordings of Steve Reich’s Piano Counterpoint (Nonesuch) and Tristan Perich’s Surface Image (New Amsterdam Records) were included in the "top albums of the year" lists in Rolling Stone and on Rhapsody. Her solo album AORTA (fall 2016 - New Amsterdam Records), features six new works by American composers. An EP of Sonatra, a solo piano work by Bang on a Can founder Michael Gordon, will be released in later this year on Cantaloupe Music.  As an artist frequently broadcasted on WNYC’s Q2 radio, her recorded work can be found on the Nonesuch, New Amsterdam, Tzadik, Cantaloupe Music, Innova, Hinterzimmer, and AltaVoz labels. Interviews and articles featuring Ms. Chow have appeared in the Huffington Post, Gramophone, The New York Times, The Vancouver Sun, and many more. Her performances of works by Morton Feldman and John Cage were featured on BBC3‘s documentary series "The Sound and The Fury", based on Alex Ross’ bookThe Rest is Noise. Ms. Chow is a Yamaha Artist. www.vickychow.com

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Saskia Lankhoorn

 

“...in Waves 3 for piano, Ebow and electronics by Peter Adriaansz, surrounded by a sea of sound; pianist Saskia Lankhoorn overwhelmed the audience with hypnotic sound waves...” -Trouw

The versatile Dutch pianist Saskia Lankhoorn is an active soloist and chamber musician in the contemporary music scene. She won first prize in the National Prinses Christina Competition and was a finalist in the Royal Concertgebouw’s 58th Vriendenkrans Competition, where she was honored with both the Press Prize and the Audience Award. Her dedication to performing contemporary music dates from an early age. Saskia performs with the Asko|Schönberg ensemble, Crash ensemble and ELECTRA. She is a co-founder of Ensemble Klang, which has performed in festivals worldwide such as the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Cultural Olympiad UK 2012 and Sonic Festival in New York City. Her critically acclaimed solo concerts combine new art music with a strong performance and sound concept, and strive to immerse the audience in a new sound world. October 2014 marked the release of ‘Dances & Canons,’ Saskia Lankhoorn’s first solo album on ECM Records, featuring a suite of piano works by Kate Moore. Dances & Canons was nominated for the Edison Award 2015. Starting next season Saskia will be the artistic curator for the highly acclaimed Dutch new music festival Dag in de Branding. www.saskialankhoorn.com

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