POETICA
Chaya Czernowin, IRCAM & Les Percussions de Strasbourg
POETICA is a journey of the individual to himself, which is brought to life through breathing. “This journey starts from different places and memories: I created countless sound recordings of the demonstrations in Tel Aviv, in the USA and in Paris during 2023. We all live in a complex reality that seems inescapable these days. However, the sonic journey focuses on the emergence of breath and thus also on the discovery of what the percussion hides in the midst of its sound. The string tremolo appears as a shadow of the percussion tremolo. These two types of tremolos push and pull in their common identity, allowing us to experience them as a unified imaginary field. Despite the difficult and intrusive reality, one can turn inward and find clarity and hope. Our interiority is a kind of nature with its own vitality.” (Chaya Czernowin)
With POETICA, Chaya Czernowin concludes the VENA cycle, consisting of “Unhistoric Acts” (Donaueschingen 2021) and “Immaterial” (Stuttgart 2022). The multi-channel composition for percussion, recorded string instruments and voice, which will be premiered at HELLERAU on 12 April by Les Percussions de Strasbourg and Steven Schick, was developed in cooperation with IRCAM Paris (Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique). The history of this legendary institute for artistic visions and scientific-technological innovations, founded by Pierre Boulez, is closely interwoven with that of the Centre Pompidou, which was opened in 1977 as an interdisciplinary art and cultural centre. In 1978, the Espace de Projection, an experimental hall of the IRCAM with a surface area of 375 square metres and variable acoustic properties, was inaugurated there. In addition to numerous internationally leading research and residency projects, an extensive concert season and many co-productions, the annual ManiFeste festival in particular is a highlight of the institute’s programme, which will also present POETICA by Chaya Czernowin in Paris in June 2024.
Duration: ca. 1 h
After the concert there will be an audience discussion with Chaya Czernowin, Steven Schick and the composter Stefan Prins.
Ticket specials
Double pack:
If you book two events in the “Immersive Sounds” series, you will receive a 50% discount on the cheaper ticket. Only available via the visitor center.
Four for three:
Buy four tickets, pay for three and enjoy!
Chaya Czernowin was born in Haifa in 1957 and grew up in Israel. After studying composition in Tel Aviv, she left Israel at the age of 25 and moved to Berlin and the USA, where she studied at Bard College and has been a professor at Harvard University since 2009. Czernowin’s internationally performed works include chamber and orchestral pieces, often with electronic elements. Not least in her music theater pieces “Pnima… ins Innere” (2000, named “World Premiere of the Year” by the magazine Opernwelt), “Adama” (2004, commissioned by the Salzburg Festival) or “Heart Chamber” (2019, premiere Deutsche Oper Berlin), she develops complex psychological structures and sets strong political accents.
Music: Chaya Czernowin
Percussions and voice: Steven Schick
Les Percussions de Strasbourg
Catinblack (recorded)
IRCAM electronics: Chaya Czernowin, Carlo Laurenzi
IRCAM Sound diffusion: Clément Cerles
Commission and coproduction : Ircam-Center Pompidou, Hellerau European Centre for the Arts, Monday Evening Concerts, Brenda &Steven Schick, Les Percussions de Strasbourg
Executive production : IRCAM-Centre Pompidou
POETICA is a co-production and commissioned work by HELLERAU, IRCAM, Les Percussions de Strasbourg, MEC Los Angeles and Brenda and Steven Schick.
The concert is supported by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media as part of the Alliance of International Production Houses.
