A LIBERATED SPEECH: IT IS IN THE REALM OF STORYTELLING THAT PHILIP VENABLES HAS BECOME KNOWN ON THE STAGES OF MUSICAL CREATION. BETWEEN INTIMACY AND PUBLIC LIFE, IDENTITY ISSUES AND POLITICAL COMMITMENTS, THE COMPOSER SHOWS US THAT EVERYTHING CAN BE SAID IN MUSIC.

The intimate interview is the motif of this very special concert, halfway between a psychoanalytical session and a dramatic talk show. Here, first-person narratives are omnipresent. Projected on the screen or embodied on stage, they link the works, but also penetrate deeply into the musical material, serving as a model and counterpoint. The burning words chosen by Philip Venables have in common the fact that they always participate in a prosaic poetry of our time. In Illusions, a work initiated during the 2015 British elections and finalized in 2017 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in England and Wales, LGBTQIA muse + David Hoyle asserts in his prophetic ramblings that art can change minds: "Tonight, the life within you will be reflected in the art you witness."

Philip Venables

KLAVIERTRIO IM GEISTE for piano, violin and cello // MY FAVOURITE PIECE IS THE GOLDBERG VARIATIONS for accordion // TEXT TED HUFFMAN NUMBERS 81-85, NUMBERS 96-100 for voice, alto flute, clarinet, violin, viola, cello
PREMIERE - COMMISSIONED BY MUSICA, COLLECTIF LOVEMUSIC and FESTIVAL D’AUTOMNE IN PARIS.
NUMBERS 91-95 FOR NARRATOR TWO TAPE RECORDERS, FLUTE, PIANO, WOODBLOCK ILLUSIONS FOR VIDEO AND ENSEMBLE // VIDEO PERFORMANCE DAVID HOYLE

Frederic Rzewski

COMING TOGETHER FOR NARRATOR AND ENSEMBLE