The Music is Festival is approaching with outstanding multi-genre concerts from October 10th till the 20th. As part of the celebration of the Year of Czech Music, the festival opens with the prestigious French six-piece ensemble Les Percussions de Strasbourg performing compositions of Czech composer Miloslav Kabeláč, who lost the attention and wider audience, which he deserved due to the political circumstances (living under communism) at the peak of his career.
Kabeláč (1908-1979) was a distinguished composer and conductor, and in the early 60s, he was recognized by the most notable musicians and composers abroad, so his composition “Eight Inventions for Percussion Instruments, Op. 45” written for Les Percussions de Strasbourg, was first performed in 1962, as their own very first concert. They formed their ensemble as members of an orchestra led by the influential avant-garde post-war French composer Pierre Boulez.
After 1968, however, Kabeláč was restricted in his collaborations with Western artists, so for the festival Music is, the ensemble will again perform “Eight Inventions for Percussion Instruments, Op. 45,” as well as “Eight ricercars” and the Eighth Symphony by Kabeláč, among many others, such as “Fishbones” (2007) by contemporary Czech composer Ondřej Adámek (1979).
The festival’s most unusual performance will be the screening of “Birdman” with the composer of the soundtrack, Antonio Sanchez, performing live to the film’s projection. His soundtrack to the Oscar-award winning film by fellow Mexican director Alejandro González Iñárritu, released in 2014, is a solo percussionist improvisation and it is a wonder of musical invention. His unique soundtrack of roaming drum solos set to the various characters’ emotions was also nominated for the Golden Globe and British Academy Film Awards for Best Original Score. So, this year, ten years since the premiere of “Birdman,” Sanchez has decided to stage special screenings, in which he will perform live on stage the solo percussion parts throughout the film. Sanchez is otherwise best known as the jazz drummer for Pat Metheny’s groups, and for his own jazz and rock groups.
Another jazz musician with a different type of music project is the Swiss Arthur Hnatek, with his duo project, SWIMS, which combines acoustic improvisation from a mound of drums and percussion, and effects combined with prepared electronics, from experimental soundscapes and found sound to bonafide techno beats (more appropriate for late night dance floors). He also uses a delay machine, playing back rhythms in response to his kick drum and ride cymbals. Naturally, an electronics and mixing engineer is required, so he has Valentin Liechti to perform with him.
For this festival, there is one performance outside of Prague, at the castle in Nelahozeves. This is with Nina and Štěpán Hon playing as a duo on piano and vibraphone, which is an unusual instrumental combination. But this does not intimidate them at all, as they intend to play Bach’s Toccata in E minor, Olivier Messiaen, and Arvo Part, as well as contemporary composers, including works by jazz musicians-composers like Chick Corea and vibraphonist Gary Burton. The openness and versatility of accomplished musicians to take on such a daring project is commendable, and a testament to the programming that most stands out for the Music is Festival.
For more information about dates and venues for Music is… see the website: Music is …
