Sonic Boom – Stefano Grasso

«Sonic Boom» is the new artist-in-residence programme at Gare du Nord. Eight emerging talents from the worlds of contemporary and experimental music will bring their visions to life through innovative concert formats, sound performances and evenings of musical theatre. Over a period of two years, they will each design and present two evenings in which they can express their individual artistic approaches. Accompanied by the venue’s own discourse format and mentoring programme, Gare du Nord offers a platform for audiences, the scene and artists with this series, thereby opening up space for creative encounters.

«Tronco» – that in italian means both «trunk» and «truncate» – is a conceptual work that can almost be read as a chamber opera in its structure. It unfolds in several densely composed sections that are linked by open passages and require the performers to improvise freely. The constant alternation between fixed (notated) and flowing (improvised) material takes the musicians themselves on an inner journey. From changing perspectives, they are encouraged to constantly re-evaluate their own musical actions.

The ensemble is designed as a system of mirrored instrument pairs, whose instrumentation is reminiscent of chamber music, folk traditions and jazz: two voices, two violas, cellos and double basses, two percussion setups (drums and vibraphone), accordion and melodicas. This doubling confronts each musician with a counterpart, reflecting the concept of inner self-confrontation that runs through the entire project.

With

Francesca Gaza, Mirjam Hässig (voice); Laura M. B. Kumwenda, Mona Creisson (viola); Sara Guidolin (cello); Angelo Vardabasso (double bass); Sophie Oetinger (accordion); Ignat Khlobystin (melodica); Mila Comel (drums/vibraphone); Stefano Grasso (drums/vibraphone/composition/text)

Program

Stefano Grasso (*1992): «Tronco» (2023-26)

Duration

70 minutes, no break

Prices

CHF 35.-/25.-/15.- (free choice at the box office or in advance)
Free admission applies to persons with residence permit N, F or S. / CHF 5.- students of the Hochschule für Musik FHNW and the Musicology Seminar of the University of Basel / CHF 10.- members Colourkey, KulturLegi and children under 12 years.

Links

→ stefanograsso.org