«riss»

Description

The French composer Mark Andre experienced a thunderous echo in 1990 when he encountered a score by his later composition teacher Helmut Lachenmann. In it, he discovered a music of existential urgency, seeking expression beyond standardized playing techniques. Keys, breathing, striking, tearing, plucking: such immediate physical processes became an important key for Andre to unlock new sound spaces.
At the same time, Andre's music is closely connected to his Christian faith. With his compositions, he aims to "musically observe and make tangible the delicate, fragile, comforting breath of the Holy Spirit." An important source of inspiration for these sound spaces was Andre's reading of the text "Der Vorhang zerreisst" by theologian Margareta Gruber. In it, she interprets the tearing of the temple curtain at Jesus' death in the Gospel of Mark in the tension between God's presence and absence.
Now, with each of the "risse," Andre senses the previously hidden sound worlds. Familiar and foreign sounds emerge, disappear again, and in their restraint, invite careful listening. Whether the "breath of the Holy Spirit" is truly revealed in them remains open. (According to Guido Fischer)
The cycle is preceded by a quote from Genesis:
"On the seventh day, God finished the work he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating." (Gen 2:2-3)
Before "riss 2," divided into sections "riss I–XIV," he presents a statement by the aforementioned theologian Prof. Dr. Margaretha Gruber, a nun of the Sisters of Siessen (OSF): "Jesus chooses the tear as the site of his life. And it will tear him; the place of his death, stretched between heaven and earth on the cross, makes it visible."
The work "iv 6" for solo trombone was commissioned by trombonist Michael Büttler, who, together with Ensemble Modern, was involved in the world premiere of the "riss" cycle. "iv" stands for "introverted" and refers to a series of intimate, fragile, and mysterious works for solo instruments and chamber music ensembles. Participants and additional information:
Michael Büttler (solo trombone); Ensemble Phoenix Basel; Jürg Henneberger (musical direction)

Highlights

• Performance by Ensemble Phoenix Basel
• Composition by Mark Andre
• Inspired sound spaces and existential themes

General Information

The event "riss" takes place at Gare du Nord in Basel and features the music of composer Mark Andre. His works explore new sound worlds and are closely linked to his Christian faith.

Location

Schwarzwaldallee 200, 4058 Basel, Switzerland

Hide Map

Loading map...

How to get there

Get Directions