Open Frequencies festival opens with Kuniko Kato's celebration of Steve Reich's 90th birthday, October 22

Vancouver New Music hosts the renowned Japanese percussionist’s quartet in tribute to the legendary minimalist composer

SPONSORED POST BY Vancouver New Music

Kuniko Kato Quartet.

The annual VNM Festival returns with Open Frequencies, a three-day program spotlighting bold, globally engaged approaches to innovative new music and sonic practice. The fest takes place from October 22 to 24 at Pacific Spirit United Church, with artist talks at 7:15 pm and performances at 8 pm each night.

Open Frequencies launches with Japan’s Kuniko Kato Quartet, celebrating the 90th birthday of legendary minimalist composer Steve Reich. The program features some of his most complex, hypnotic, and beautiful percussion works. It is part of the REICH90 North American Tour, a major celebration of Reich’s 90th birthday across Canada and the United States.

Kuniko Kato is one of the world’s leading percussionists, celebrated for her visionary artistry, technical precision, and deeply expressive interpretations. Her performances and recordings of compositions by Reich, Arvo Pärt, and Iannis Xenakis have been praised for their clarity, intensity, and architectural insight, while her marimba interpretations of J.S. Bach works have redefined the instrument’s expressive possibilities. She is the only Japanese artist represented by the U.K. label Linn Records, a notable achievement that underscores her unique international standing.

Kuniko Kato. Photo by Michiyuki Ohba

Kato’s artistic practice is characterized by a commitment to expanding the boundaries of percussion by collaborating across disciplines, commissioning new works, and reimagining canonical repertoire. Her projects often bridge tradition and innovation, engaging audiences through concept-driven performances at major international venues and festivals. Since 2016, she has led an artist incubation initiative, fostering and mentoring the next generation of percussionists.

At Open Frequencies, Kato will be joined by fellow percussionists Haruka Aoyagi, Karin Tozaki, Koichi Hosono, and Misaki Matsuno. All four artists have been involved in the Steve Reich Project, Kato’s international concert series devoted to meticulously arranged performances of Reich’s masterpieces. Their program for this performance includes five works by Reich: Pieces of Wood, Drumming Part 1, Nagoya Marimbas, Piano Phase (version for vibraphone, adapted by Kuniko Kato), and Mallet Quartet.

There are plenty more talented artists to discover throughout the festival, including Korean cellist and composer Okkyung Lee, Salt Spring Island–based violinist Meredith Bates, Montreal-based harpist Sarah Pagé, Vancouver-based guitarist Gordon Grdina, and Nanaimo-based musician Piu.

Tickets are available through Vancouver New Music.

Post sponsored by Vancouver New Music.

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