“‘Steel Hammer’ bangs out a spectacularly inventive social message.”
Bang on a Can All-Stars
| JULIA WOLFE | Steel Hammer |
For Cal Performances at Home, the group performs Steel Hammer, an acclaimed oratorio by Bang on a Can’s co-founder, Pulitzer Prize winner Julia Wolfe—that mines the sounds and stories of Appalachia. Wolfe creates a musical amalgamation of every version of the folktale of “John Henry” that she could get her hands on—more than 200!—and weaves these often contradictory stories into an expansive allegory about the human cost of industrialization. The music marries folk cadences with driving rhythms in Wolfe’s densely layered compositional style, and is performed by three female vocalists and a chamber ensemble that features hammered dulcimer, mouth harp, bones, clogs, banjo, and metal percussion.
“A musical archaeology of a familiar tale—one that preserves, even enlarges, its central mystery” (The New Yorker).
An Illuminations: Fact or Fiction event >
The Cal Performances at Home Spring 2021 season is dedicated to Gail and Dan Rubinfeld, leading supporters of Cal Performances and the well-being of our artists for almost thirty years.
Patron Sponsor: Françoise Stone
Premiere Watch Party
7pm PDT
Bang on a Can All-Stars
Cal Performances at Home Pricing
The pricing for individual Cal Performances at Home performances is on the honor system and is based on the number of people watching the performance. Or, for the best value, purchase the Spring Stream Pass for $144, which is only $12 per show!
Spring
Pass
- When you buy a Spring All Access Pass for $144
Going
Solo
- One person viewing the performance
Date
Night
- Two people viewing the performance
Social
Bubble
- Four or more people viewing the performance
Rock
Star
- Average price you would have paid to see this live*
* “Rock Star” is, well, above and beyond! You’re a true believer, a superhero in our book.
Video
Program Notes
Program notes will be available approximately one week before the performance.