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Vincent Cornelli

a BQE evening w/ Sufjan Stevens, DM Stith & the Osso Quartet @ 92YTribeca in NYC - pics

photos by Vincent Cornelli

Osso Quartet

“Hey, I’m your host: DJ Sufjan. Thanks for coming,” he says, trying to stir the audience.

It will be a night of art — but exactly how, or what kind of art, no one is certain.

Stevens speaks for a brief moment and introduces the first act, singer/songwriter DM [Stith]. Unlike most folk singers, [Stith] is backed by six other musicians: a percussionist, a bassist, a cellist, two violinists and a viola player. The classical backing only serves to assist his enchanting howl, which channels Eastern rhythms. His short set is defined by simple, delicate arrangements, like an appetizer before the main course.

A few moments pass, and Stevens climbs the stage once more. This time, he explains that his second album, “Enjoy Your Rabbit,” was an electronic experiment that no one seemed to understand. As a result, he had the songs rewritten for the string quartet Osso, a group of classically trained women who perform interpretations of Stevens’ songs. Stevens’ experimental computer distortion transforms into high notes. The audience, formerly busy in conversation, is respectably silent. Dreamy sequences approach and linger as each song reaches a close. It is, most definitely, a non-traditional take on a classical medium. [NYU News]

After the live music came a screening of the BQE movie. The pictures in this post are from the third show on Saturday night. They did it at 7:30pm, 10:00pm, and then again st 12:30am (technically Sunday morning). The show is now on tour (though without Sufjan to introduce things), and will play NYC one more time. It happens at The Bell House on November 7th, and tickets are still on sale. More pictures from 92Y below…

DM Stith

DM Stith

DM Stith

DM Stith

DM Stith

Osso Quartet

Osso Quartet

Osso Quartet

Osso Quartet

Osso Quartet

Osso Quartet

Osso Quartet

Osso Quartet