Water Works

February 22, 2025
Numerica Performing Arts Center

Making up more than 70% of the earth’s surface, water is life’s most essential element. Come listen to a program of pieces by composers who seek to capture water’s power, serenity, and majesty.  

Streaming Available

Nik’s Notes

Water Works was created to feature the musical properties of water. Written by Alaskan composer John Luther Adams, Become River is an aural soundscape depicting water as it gradually cascades from high to low pitches. Respighi’s Fountains of Rome is a musical tour of four famous water sculptures in the capital city. High above the Czech Republic’s longest river lies Vyšehrad, The High Castle, which housed the earliest Czech kings. We are also excited to premiere a new composition by WVC Professor of Music Juel Iwaasa. 

Program

  • John Luther Adams • Become River

  • Ottorino Respighi • Fountains of Rome, P 106

  • Juel Iwaasa • The eye sees only water and the ear hears only sound (ft. Quartetrachord: Hoi Ting Davidson and Charles Andrew Dunlap, violins; Austin Simmons, viola; Jenaesha Iwaasa, cello) 

  • Bedrich Smetana • Vysehrad (The High Castle) from Má Vlast (My Fatherland)

Become River

Guest Artists

  • Hoi Ting Davidson

    violin

  • Charles Andrew Dunlap

    violin

  • Austin Simmons

    viola

  • Jenaesha Iwaasa

    cello

  • Juel Iwaasa

    composer