The press has used many words to describe the music of Christian Asplund: passion, panoramic power, pure pointillist, plaintive, painstaking…and that’s just the “p”s.

Asplund is a Canadian-American composer-performer based in Utah. He is an associate professor of music at Brigham Young University and extremely active in the Provo music scene. You’ll see him performing with bands such as Fun Coffin, or hosting concerts at Avant gaRAge.

Prior to coming to Utah, he lived in Seattle where he co-founded the Seattle Experimental Opera Company. He has received commissions from many prominent performers and ensembles and has received grants and awards from CalArts Herb Alpert Awards, Genesis Foundation, Barlow Endowment, Artist Trust, King County, Jack Straw Foundation, and ASCAP. His interests include the intersections of text/music, improvisation/composition, and modular textures/forms.

This Sunday 12 Minutes Max will give you the opportunity to meet this composer and hear a recently composed work for cellist and BYU colleague Michelle Kesler. “Suite for Cello” is a six-part virtuoso work. Kesler will perform the final two movements: Interlude and Chaconne. Interlude employs guitar-style fingerpicking and Chaconne uses textures and techniques more commonly associated with the violin.

WHERE: City Library, Main Auditorium
WHEN: Sunday, September 20, 2 PM

12 Minutes Max is a monthly showcase of short works and works-in-progress by local artists in many disciplines.  It is modeled after the program originated by On the Boards in Seattle. 

Laura Durham

Laura Durham is the Director of Programming and Engagement for PBS Utah. She curates projects and plans events that utilize local and national media to provide entertainment and meaningful dialogue beyond broadcast. Prior to PBS Utah, Laura worked at the Division of Arts & Museums for 15 years, served as Vice President of the Salt Lake Gallery Association, Program Director for the Salt Lake Gallery Stroll, and was a board member for the Utah Cultural Alliance.