Son((o))sphere
"SON((O))SPHERE - The Metropolis and the Myths" features performances by the Mud Cavaliers & Guests and takes place in four different European capitals, including Brussels. The performances take as their subject the surrounding sounds and landscapes of the city in question
Performances present the challenge of intuitive composition, exploring the relationship between music of different genres (contemporary music, free jazz, noise, electronic and world music). An hour-long 'sound spectacle' also includes texts in several languages, spontaneous improvisations as well as recordings of city sounds and musical quotations from Karol Szymanowski's musical series entitled "Myths". It aims to sketch a musical landscape of Brussels. The instruments involved are traditional (acoustic) and electronic, resulting in a composition that forms a colourful, modern fresco.
Compositions reflect the character of the selected cities and confront several issues related to life in those cities. Hence the tripartite concept: 'Shape' (illumination, form and structure), 'Allure' (sensuality, impressibility), 'Separateness' (aloneness, closure, isolation). Each of the three parts include quotations from Karol Szymanowski's three "Myths", entitled, respectively: "Spring of Arethusa", "Dryads" and "Pan, Narcissus". An important section of the performance will be dedicated to Warsaw (through a city soundscape and song quotations), as well as the city in question. The performances aim to evoke a feeling of unity in diversity. Szymanowski's work features as a shared, emotive reference point. The performances will result in a kind of database of sounds and images from each of the cities.
The Mud Cavaliers musicians will be accompanied by 2-3 performers from each city. A final "Sonosphere" performance will be held in either Warsaw (to commemorate the end of the Polish presidency) or Copenhagen -to mark the beginning of the Danish presidency of the EU council.
The Mud Cavaliers was established in 2001. The group specialises in live improvisation in 'found' and unusual outdoor spaces such as forests or fields. Their music is characterised by free jazz and spontaneous composition- hence the band's eclectic mix of members: they range from experienced composers to musicians. Their diversity makes for truly unique musical performances.
The Mud Cavaliers:
Jerzy Kornowicz – piano
Krzysztof Knittel – electronic media
Ryszard Latecki – trumpet, harmonium, percussion instruments
Mieczysław Litwiński – vocals, violin, cithern
Tadeusz Sudnik – electronic media
Tadeusz Wielecki – double bass
Andrzej Kijanowski – sound projection
Cinemanual – special active projections
"Sonosphere" is organised by GAM (The Gallery of the Actual Music Festival). GAM's basic mission is to create performances of new music based on works written over the last 15-20 years by contemporary composers. They also aim to initiate interdisciplinary activities that blend both musical and visual aspects. GAM closely cooperates with contemporary composers, artists, choreographers, directors, animators, word and theater masters.
For more information, see:
www.sonophere.eu (under construction)
www.compositeurs.be
www.ptmw.art.pl
www.senghor.be
www.culturepolonaise.eu
www.youtube.com/user/Sonosphere
Date: 9th of November, 2011 (8:30pm)
Venue: Espace Senghor, Brussels
Organised by: Forum de Compositeurs, Polish Society for Contemporary Music, Espace Senghor
Project cofinanced by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of the Republic of Poland
Source: Adam Mickiewicz Institute