Mikropolyphonie!

The title of this programme, «Mikropolyphonie», is derived from the Hungarian-Austrian composer György Ligeti. It refers to a compositional technique in which a variety of voices are interwoven so densely that the individual lines are no longer perceptible to the listener as melodies. The programme explores this concept, ranging from Ligeti’s sonic densification through minimalist processes to the microtonal soundscapes of the present day.

The possibilities of a piano duo are limited. Nevertheless, Ligeti succeeded – particularly in the third movement – in creating the illusion of a continuously pulsating mass of sound through overlapping thirty-second-note runs within the resonance chamber of the sustain pedal. The resulting «sound cluster» comes across as a living organism that expands, contracts and constantly changes colour. The second movement provides a delightful contrast to this with a playful and humorous homage to the pioneers of American minimalist music, Steve Reich and Terry Riley.

In his sextet «Satka», the French composer Christophe Bertrand also uses repetitive, interlocking sound patterns and phase shifts that are strongly associated with Steve Reich’s minimal music and György Ligeti’s micropolyphony.

«The weak nuclear force plays an important role in the proton-proton reaction, through which hydrogen is converted into helium in the Sun. The energy released during this process forms the basis of the solar radiation that reaches the Earth.» (Georg Friedrich Haas)
Typical for Haas the piece explores the microtonal inner world of sounds and translates this invisible yet fundamental natural phenomenon into a highly sensitive, hypnotic tapestry of sound. The work was composed in 2024 as a commissioned work for the Israeli «Meitar Ensemble» and premiered in 2025 under the baton of Pierre-André Valade at the «Ultraschall Berlin» festival.

The German violinist and composer Friedemann Treiber, concertmaster for this programme, draws on the tradition of the Second Viennese School in his compositional work. Influenced by his teacher Hansheinz Schneeberger and the latter’s admiration for Alban Berg, his music ranges from dodecaphony and limited aleatoricism to free tonality and atonality. Despite its structural complexity, it is always characterised by an immediate emotional expressiveness.

With

Ensemble Phoenix Basel; Jürg Henneberger (musical director)

Program

Georg Friedrich Haas (*1953): «הכוח החלש – die schwache Kraft» (2024, SEA) for ensemble
Friedemann Treiber (*1971): Neues Werk (UA, Auftrag EPhB) for ensemble
György Ligeti (1923–2006): «Monument, Selbstportrait und Bewegung» (1976) for two pianos
Christophe Bertrand (1981–2010): «Satka» (2008)

Info

Concert introduction with Jürg Henneberger, one hour before the concert begins:
Sat. 12th December 26 at 7.00 pm
Sun. 13th December 26 at 6.00 pm

Duration

90 minutes, with 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

→ ensemble-phoenix.ch