Sound Liberation & Sahara von Hattenberger / Joanne Kang Duo

Composers Concordance Presents Double Feature: Sound Liberation & Sahara von Hattenberger / Joanne Kang Duo

Composers Concordance

Double Feature

Sound Liberation

&

Sahara von Hattenberger / Joanne Kang Duo

Composers

Andrea Casarrubios, Gene Pritsker, Fazıl Say, Randall Woolf

Performers

Sound Liberation

Gene Pritsker – guitar

Sista Zock – poetry/voice

Franz Hackl – trumpet

Larry Goldman – bass

Lee Jeffryes – drums

Sahara von Hattenberger / Joanne Kang Duo

Sahara von Hattenberger – cello

Joanne Kang – piano

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“The human mind is not a dignified organ, and I do not see how we can exercise it sincerely except through eclecticism. —E.M. Forster

For Immediate Release – New York, NY – On Jan. 2nd at 7pm, Kick off 2026 with a night of genre-defying sound and fearless creativity. The evening opens with Gene Pritsker’s Sound Liberation, performing an electrifying set that blends classical, hip-hop, and experimental sound worlds. Their performance includes he premiere of Pritsker’s powerful suite ‘Gnawa Gnaw’ featuring the poetry of Sista Zock.

The night continues with a full set by the stunning Sahara von Hattenberger / Joanne Kang Duo (cello and piano), exploring modern lyricism and bold expression. Their program features evocative works by Andrea Casarrubios, Gene Pritsker, Fazıl Say, and Randall Woolf — a journey across contemporary voices from around the world.

A night of music without borders. Innovation without compromise.

Sahara is the co-founder of “duo étrange” (a soprano/cello duo) that focuses on accessible contemporary music. She released her debut solo album in 2024 entitled “1Q84” for cello and jazz piano trio; a re-imagining of the Claude Bolling Suite alongside 4 new commissions. She is a member of the Chamber Orchestra of New York and plays regularly with other NYC-based orchestras like the New York Pops and American Composers Orchestra. She has been a recipient of 5 different Canada Council for the Arts grants to support new music, as well as a Chamber Music America grant this year to commission NYC based composer Kebra Seyoun-Charles. Her mission is to elevate new classical music.

Joanne Kang is a New York–based Australian pianist praised for her “fleet-fingered virtuosity” and stylistic versatility. She has performed internationally as a soloist, chamber musician, and recording artist, collaborating with artists and ensembles including The American String Quartet, the American Modern Opera Company, members of the Silk Road Ensemble, and the late Kaija Saariaho in the world premiere of Semafor. From 2020–2023 she was pianist of Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect, hailed as “one of the strongest ensembles in the city” (New York Classical Review).

She has appeared in venues across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Australia, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Sydney Opera House, Seoul Arts Center, among many others. Joanne holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Manhattan School of Music, where she received the Harold Bauer and Helen Cohn Awards.

Sound Liberation, an eclectic chamber ensemble/band, was formed in 1996. The band has gained exposure in the New York city area and has generated a loyal core following playing such notable venues as Joe’s Pub, Wetlands, Knitting Factory, The Blue Note, Downtime, New Music Cafe, Cutting Room, Le Poisson Rouge and many other performing spaces.

Sound Liberation’s musical philosophy, developed by band founder Gene Pritsker, is based upon “ending the segregation of sound vibration (i.e. musical Genres)”. The group incorporates its philosophy by performing compositions that encompass a diverse range of musical genre, heavily influenced by hip-hop and rock rhythms. This enables one to hear elements from classical music to Jazz to music of various cultures at a Sound Liberation show.

“Pritsker’s band is Wagnerian in its concept and ecumenical in delivery, inviting all to join on stage for the journey to freedom.”

“Sound Liberation comes across as more of a worldview than just a bunch of musicians getting together…“

– Jazz Weekly, by George W. Harris • June 9, 2025

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Staying in rotation for 42 years in NYC is a rare feat. In the case of a new music presenting organization, it requires not only diligence and cognizance of achievements of the past but also an ethic of keeping one’s ear to the ground for emerging stylistic and technological developments, as well as talented new composers on the scene. Composers Concordance, founded in 1984 by Joseph Pehrson and Patrick Hardish, advised by Otto Luening, strives to present contemporary music in innovative ways, with an emphasis on thematic programming. Directors Gene Pritsker and Dan Cooper co-curate the programs and lead the CompCord Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, String Orchestra, and Big Band. Associate Directors are Milica Paranosic, Peter Jarvis, Debra Kaye, Seth Boustead, and Audrey Morse. Composers Concordance has also created a Naxos-distributed record label: Composers Concordance Records. Composers Concordance’s overriding vision is to promote contemporary music, composers, and new works as a rightful and respected part of society. Good music performed and recorded well, pushing the boundaries of sound and composition.

“Composers Concordance..a veritable New York new music institution of concerts, album production and multiple ensembles under a sweeping, tenacious brand, thriving on the emulsion of contemporary classical, free improv, jazz and rock, overt humor and fearless political statements, all very much in evidence..The ensemble..was masterful throughout.”-John Pietaro, The New York City Jazz Record

“An unwavering force in giving composers exposure through concert bookings and its own record label, the intrepid new-music organization Composers Concordance” – The Brooklyn Rail

“The Composers Concordance folks are unpredictable and at times refreshingly irreverent in a reverent sort of way….ingenious fun” – Classical-Modern Music Review

“Enterprising new music organization” – The New York Times