Since 2002, the New West Evolving Arts and Music Organization has brought composers and performers to San Diego State University for a weekend of contemporary music. In earlier years it was known as the New West Electro-Acoustic Music Organization. I guess it evolved.
In his spoken introduction, NWEAMO director Joseph Waters touted the festival’s musical diversity, but most of the works heard consisted of good old-fashioned melody and accompaniment. The one exception was SDSU Professor Texu Kim’s “Images” for solo violin. He converted the bass and dumbek parts into an electronic track with a Middle-Eastern-sounding vocalise and an additional live violin part. Like his other works on the program, “Pand Q.” rode on a strong rhythmic groove.
I most enjoyed Pritsker’s “Figar-Oh,” a remix of Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro” for violin and track. Country fiddling intersected with the overture and “Dove sono,” underlain with an electronic drumbeat and distorted chords.