In 2011, Nick Zinner, guitarist of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, wrote 41 Strings, a four-part symphony to mark Earth Day. Hes since performed the piece around the world, including Londons Meltdown Festival and Australias Sydney Opera House with musicians like the xxs Romy Madley Croft and Savages Gemma Thompson. The orchestral piece which is built to reflect the change of fall, winter, spring and summer has also made it to TV: the spring portion of the piece is currently the theme music for HBOs Vice.
Zinner has now announced the biggest performance of 41 Strings yet: On July 27th, he will perform at New Yorks Rockefeller Plaza with a 51-person orchestra. Hes enlisted some major talent for the occasion, including Paul Banks of Interpol, Lenny Kaye from the Patti Smith Group, Nancy Whang from LCD Soundsystem and more.
Im so excited to bring this piece back to New York City where it was written and first performed in 2011, said Zinner in a statement. Its always a massive undertaking and true joy to perform. [It] was originally written to be played by a 45-person ensemble, and Ive gathered up some of my favorite New York-based musicians from several generations to guest on this one-time performance to make it as special and epic as it can be. Its a real honor to be able to do this in such an iconic space as Rockefeller Center, free and open for all New Yorkers and everyone to enjoy.
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Heres a list of musicians participating. More information here.
Guitar
Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
Paul Banks (Interpol) **
Lenny Kaye (Patti Smith band) **
Angel Deradoorian (previously of Dirty Projectors) **
Andrew Wyatt (Miike Snow, producer/songwriter with Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Liam Gallagher, Bruno Mars, Mark Ronson) **
Sarah Lipstate (Noveller) **
Ava Mendoza **
Aku Orraca-Tetteh (Dragons of Zynth) **
Drums
Brian Chase (Yeah Yeah Yeahs)
Ryan Sawyer (Gang Gang Dance)
Hisham Akira Bharoocha (Lightning Bolt, Black Dice)
Bass
Andy Macleod
Jaleel Bunton (TV on the Radio) **
Synth
Ben Vida
Nancy Whang (LCD Soundsystem) **
Strings
Gillian Rivers, arranger
35 classical string ensemble