Johannes Ciconia / Guillaume de Machaut / Brian Ferneyhough / Benedict Mason the neurons, the tongue, the cochlea… the breath, the resonance ...
[Music]
A vast instrumentarium, both ancient and modern, is deployed for the neurons, the tongue, the cochlea… the breath, the resonance, taking the audience beyond the senses into the realm of the imagination. Hinterstoisser Traverse, referring to the tragic attempt to climb the north face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps, expresses depth, height, distance and speed – perceived or real – in detailed, taut, three-dimensional music. Finis Terrae by Brian Ferneyhough, carrying on the tradition of English composers of the Renaissance and of Guillaume de Machaut, has proportion, precision and striking refinement, offering musical allegory and, ultimately, melancholy.
Credits
Benedict Mason
Hinterstoisser Traverse pour ensemble
the neurons, the tongue, the cochlea… the breath, the resonance
for twenty-twoi musicians playing newly created instruments
Guillaume de Machaut
Tant doucement me sens emprisonnes (four voices)
Johannes Ciconia
Le ray au soleyl (three voices)
Codex Chantilly
Rodericus, Angelorum psalat tripudium
(two voices)
Pierre de Molins, De ce que foul pense souvent ramaynt
(four voices)
Brian Ferneyhough
Finis Terrae pour six voix et ensemble*
Commissioned by Ensemble Musikfabrik, Kunststiftung NRW, Festival d’Automne à Paris and Casa da Musica (Porto)
Ensemble vocal Exaudi / Director James Weeks
Ensemble Musikfabrik
*Emilio Pomarico, direction
Corealisation Opéra national de Paris ; Festival d’Automne à Paris
With the participation of the Sacem, of Diaphonique, Franco-British Founds for contempory music, and British Council
With the participation of Mécénat Musical Société Générale, Ernst von Siemens Foundation for music
France Musique records and broadcasts this concert
