In the absence of live performances during the pandemic, Michael Gordon created innovative ways to reach new audiences. In late June and early July of 2021, Mr. Gordon launched two large-scale streaming endeavors of international reach and scope.  

An hour-long tour de force for six percussionists, Timber is scored for six pieces of wood, known as simantras, derived from the Eastern Orthodox Liturgy. Timber was premiered in 2011 by Slagwerk Den Haag, and over the past decade has been performed more than 150 times in over 20 countries. In celebration of the work’s 10-year anniversary, on June 20, 2021, Bang on a Can presented performances of Timber, streamed for 12 continuous hours by ensembles from around the world including Slagwerk Den Haag and Club Guy & Roni dance (Netherlands), Ensemble Tactus (France), Hauschka and Institut für Mu­sik Universität Kassel (Germany), SaNeNa (Turkey), MonoCollective (Italy), Ictus Ensemble (Belgium), Grupo de Percussão and Roberto Olivan dance (Portugal), Ensemble Perceum (Uruguay), Versus8 (Mexico), and several organizations from the United States, including Mantra Percussion and Left Edge Percussion.  

Composed during the pandemic in early 2020, July is a collection of 31 short piano works written for pianist Vicky Chow that are intended to be performed and shared daily in the month of July over social media. On the anniversary of its premiere, July is being reprised in July 2021 by a group of pianists including Vicky Chow, Timo Andres, Laura Barger, Dynasty Battles, Mikael Darmanie, Aaron Diehl, Erika Dohi, Cheryl Duvall, David Friend, Zubin Kanga, Saskia Lankhoorn, Karl Larson, Jenny Lin, Megumi Masaki, Lisa Moore, Isabelle O'Connell, Jani Parsons, Conrad Tao, and Dan Tepfer. One or several pianists will post a video of each movement daily. These performances are hosted on Bang on a Can Live Online, daily, for the month of July 2021.  

Timber (2009)

percussion sextet
WP:16.06.2011, Den Haag, Netherlands

Score of Timber

Performances 

July 
01.07.2022 though 31.07.2022 daily
Vicky Chow, Timo Andres, Laura Barger, Dynasty Battles, Mikael Darmanie, Aaron Diehl, Erika Dohi, Cheryl Duvall, David Friend, Zubin Kanga, Saskia Lankhoorn, Karl Larson, Jenny Lin, Megumi Masaki, Lisa Moore, Isabelle O'Connell, Jani Parsons, Conrad Tao, and Dan Tepfer (piano)