5 Reasons to See- Bowie Symphonic: Blackstar
Discover this rockstar cellist and the Ambient Orchestra at Bass Concert Hall on November 1st.
By Emily Gitten
1. David Bowie was and is one of the biggest cultural icons of our time.
Throughout his career, Bowie transformed and renewed his relevance to put himself at the forefront of pop music. He released his 25th studio album, Blackstar, on his 69th birthday. He passed away two days later, leaving behind one of the greatest music legacies ever given to the public. The Ambient Orchestra's performance adds to our appreciation of Bowie's cultural impact.
2. Blackstar won Bowie 5 posthumous Grammy Awards.
At the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, Blackstar won awards for Best Alternative Music Album; Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical; Best Recording Package, and the title single won Best Rock Performance, and Best Rock Song. David Bowie will live on as a musical legend for generations.
![Blackstar album cover Blackstar album cover](http://texasperformingarts.org/sites/files/tpa/styles/halfwidth/public/5reasons_album.png?itok=3JaDUeoq)
3. Ziporyn's arrangement of Blackstar is Evan Ziporyn's passion project.
Evan Ziporyn does it all. In 2012, Ziporyn was appointed inaugural Director of MIT’s Center for Art. He also serves the Chair of Music and Theater Arts for MIT, all while being on tour. Despite his busy schedule, Ziporyn's arrangement of Blackstar is a passion project he immediately started working on after Bowie's death to pay tribute to one of his favorite artists.
![Ziporyn Boxing Gloves Ziporyn_Boxing_Gloves](http://texasperformingarts.org/sites/files/tpa/styles/halfwidth/public/ziporyn_boxing_gloves_lr.jpg?itok=cgMZblz-)
4. Rolling Stone Magazine called Maya Beiser “a cello rock star.”
How many classical artists can say they were mentioned in Rolling Stone? Beiser has captivated audiences worldwide with her virtuosity, eclectic repertoire, and relentless quest to redefine her instrument’s boundaries. Beiser's versatility on the cello is the highlight of the performance.
![Maya Beiser for Blackstar Maya Beiser for Blackstar](http://texasperformingarts.org/sites/files/tpa/styles/halfwidth/public/5reasons_blackstar.png?itok=gixUJa5A)
5. Cellist Maya Beiser is a leader in the use of technology and sound in music.
Beiser’s TED Talk, which includes a performance with seven pre-recorded copies of herself, focuses on the uses of technology to create endless possibilities for transformative sound in music. Her talk has been viewed by over one million people and translated in to 32 languages. Her performances, in all capacities, will change the way you look at cellists.
![Maya Ted Talk Maya Ted Talk](http://texasperformingarts.org/sites/files/tpa/styles/halfwidth/public/mayatedtalk.png?itok=mwpS_Gto)
Photo via Ted.com