#2 In a Landscape

2 & 3 February 2024, Orgelpark Amsterdam

The title of this edition alludes to John Cage’s 1948 music that sought to ‘sober and quiet the mind, thus rendering it receptive‘ to the power of sonic influence. Composers Luigi Nono, Clarence Barlow, and Eliane Radigue have opened the way for new experiments in music. Now Catherine Lamb, Ellen Arkbro and Gabriel Paiuk explore the intricacies of sound, minimal modulations, just intonation, and space perception.

In a Landscape / Festival Vision

John Cage’s phrase encapsulates the essence of ECHONANCE #2 — to create an immersive environment that captivates and transports the audience into unexplored realms of compositional practices.

Echonance Festival celebrates striking musical concepts, which are derived from developments of the late-20th century avant-garde. These techniques that we frequently find today in experimental musical practice have an origin in the post-war avant-garde that developed somewhat ‘silently’, back in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Hence the name : ‘Echonance Festival’ – we hear resonances or echoes of these groundbreaking past musical works and how they have contributed to sound practice in more recent times. Selected works have mostly been composed in the last thirty-five years and remain highly relevant and significant to younger generations. One of the particular characteristics of these musical works is that they explore minimal modulations and variations of acoustic perception. Musical materials such as rhythm and melody have been removed from the compositional parameters. Somehow they invite us to listen from another perspective. We enter an immersive sound flow where sounds resonate with space, and space reveals the three-dimensional acoustic sound.

Two Day Festival

Echonance #2 – In a Landscape was the second edition of the annual festival initiated by composer Claudio F. Baroni as curator, together with Lucie Nezri production, Isabelle Vigier designer, and Albert Manders manager. The 2nd edition is hosted by Orgelpark, in Amsterdam.

Performers

The music was performed by an extraordinary line-up of ensembles and soloists who excel at this specialized repertoire;

L’Orchestre de Nouvelles Créations, Expérimentations, et Improvisations Musicales (ONCEIM) (FR) Frederic Blondy, organist, artistic and music director.

Maurice string quartet (IT) Georgia Privitera and Laura Bertolino, violin – Francesco Vernero viola – Aline Privitera, cello

Ensemble Scordatura(NL) Elisabeth Smalt, viola and Reinier van Houdt, piano

Program #1 /

Ellen Arkbro (1990)

. For organ and brass (2014) for ensemble. Performed by members of the orchestra ONCEIM and Ellen Arkbro

. Chords (2018) for solo organ. Organ: Ellen Arkbro

. Three for brass trio (2016). Performed by members of the orchestra ONCEIM

Clarence Barlow (1945-2023)

. Until seven for guitar and electronics (1980). Performed by Benjamin Garson guitar, and Lucie Nezri electronics.

Program #2 /

Luigi Nono (1924-1990)

.To commemorate the centenary of the birth of the great Venetian composer Luigi Nono (Jan 29, 1924), the Echonance Festival presents his string quartet ‘Fragmente – Stille, an Diotima’.

. Fragmente – Stille, an Diotima (1980) for string quartet. Performed by Maurice quartet

Program #3 /

Catherine Lamb (1982)

. Shade/Gradient (2018-2023) for viola, voice and electronics. Performed by Elisabeth Smalt viola and voice, electronics by Lucie Nezri.

Program #4 /

Gabriel Paiuk (1975)

. Degrees of Transparency (2024) For piano and soundtrack on seven loudspeakers. Gabriel Paiuk, Piano. World Premiere

Clarence Barlow (1945-2023)

. Für Simon-Jonassohn Stein (2012) for MIDI organ

MIDI organ: initiator of a new version commissioned for Echonance Festival & Orgelpark by Lucie Nezri

Gabriel Paiuk

. Rhythm, Presence, Voice (2024) New commission from the Echonance Festival for piano and string quartet. Performed by Reinier van Houdt and Maurice Quartet. World Premiere

Program #5 /

Eliane Radigue (1932)

. Occam Ocean for orchestra (2015). Performed by ONCEIM and local guests: Clara de Asis & Ezequiel Menalled (guitars), Claudio Jacomucci (accordion), Germaine Sijstermans (clarinet), Dario Calderone (double bass), Claudio F Baroni (gongs & tam-tam) and Nirantar Yakthumba (manual harmonium)

Haptic Room Study #4

Haptic Room Study #4 – Questions about Tactile Spatialization: Between Hearing and Active Listening was commissioned and supported by the Echonance festival