Postal Pieces 2.0 Arcana New Music Ensemble

Bowerbird is pleased to present the Arcana New Music Ensemble performing Postal Pieces 2.0, the second iteration of “Postal Pieces,” a concert featuring living composers in Philadelphia and beyond composing postcard-sized works inspired by James Tenney’s unorthodox set of compositions.

Tenney’s “Postal Pieces,” composed between 1954 and 1971, are a series of ten concise works each printed on a postcard. These pieces capture Tenney’s exploration of sound and form, focusing on minimalist structures, intonation, and what he called “Swell” forms—gradual crescendos and decrescendos that create a unique auditory experience. Conceived originally as musical “letters” to friends and collaborators, such as Pauline Oliveros and La Monte Young, these works reflect Tenney’s deep connections within the avant-garde music scene and his penchant for inviting listeners into meditative states of listening.

Sets of the these newly commissioned postcard works will be available for purchase at the concert, with all proceeds benefiting the Arcana New Music Ensemble. Previous postcard sets will also be available and are available to purchase online.