Ensemble Modern / »in vain«

Festival »Lux aeterna«

This concert has already taken place! 25
This concert has already taken place! 25
Ensemble Modern
Ensemble Modern © Katrin Schilling
  • Doors open 18:30

  • Start 19:30

  • End ca. 20:50

Description

Georg Friedrich Haas’s music is not constrained by gravity. Where conventional works – be they classical or modern – deal in whole and half tones, Haas shatters the intervals into tiny, almost inaudible units that imperceptibly slide into each other. These micro-intervals pull the rug out from under the listener’s feet. His sounds are slanting levels, endless acoustic M. C. Escher-stairways, above which the listener positively floats. A marvellous and unique sound experience.

Hamburg audiences have already had an opportunity to experience Haas’s genius when a commissioned work of his was performed in the opening concert of the Elbphilharmonie Recital Hall, and in »limited approximations«, his concerto for six pianos micro-tonally tuned away from each another. The effect is heightened further in »in vain« as a result of the piece being performed in almost total darkness – solely interrupted by a few flashes. Any attempt on the listener’s part to seek orientation, be that of the acoustic or optical kind, will be »in vain«, in the strict sense of the word. Sir Simon Rattle was enthralled: »It’s as though you are wandering into some kind of extraordinary forest…where you discover where music came from.«

Performers

Ensemble Modern

conductor Jonathan Stockhammer

Programme

Georg Friedrich Haas
in vain

Festival

Lux aeterna

Promoter: HamburgMusik

Supported by the Stiftung Elbphilharmonie.

During your visit

Elbphilharmonie Plaza

A public viewing platform on the 8th floor of the Elbphilharmonie

More about the Plaza

Food and Drink

Before the concert and in the interval

Find out more

Coughing, clapping, chatting

Tips for your concert visit

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