What is new music?
Why aren't the Aki artists and composers known to a larger audience? We have not selected these performers because we think they will draw large crowds or appeal to lucrative market segments (more likely the contrary, I'm afraid). We present them because we think their music is aesthetically and intellectually worthy of a good hearing. Just as the museum strives to present compelling visual art, Aki seeks to share with you the finest in contemporary musical art.
"Art" music is no longer dictated by an academic music establishment, and performers are free to select music they love. The performing artists of Aki have compiled a broad collection of music written by more than 60 composers from around the world and from next door. Electronic music, traditional chamber music, orchestral music, music with computer and video interaction, performance art, percussion music, music for organ, or music for vocal ensemble; music by composers from New Zealand, Africa, Cleveland Heights, Cambodia, Azerbaijan, New York City, Lakewood, Oberlin, the Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium, China, France, and those beyond any specific nationality. There is music written on paper and music purely improvised; music inspired by rock, jazz, Arabic chanting, medieval chant, scientific discovery, and film. Music that requires intense listening and music that is meditative by nature. Most of the music of Aki falls outside any conventional category. You won't find much of it on Amazon.com. Without the comforts of easy classification, we must rely instead on the intrinsic value of the music and the talent and skill of the performers.