Musik als Protest?

The work for variable ensemble and one speaker «Coming together» by the American composer and pianist Frederic Rzewski was written in autumn 1971. Shortly before, in September 1971, the inmates of the prison in Attica, located in the US state of New York, had revolted against what they saw as inhumane prison conditions and taken some guards hostage. On the governor's orders, the National Guard stormed the prison and put an end to the revolt, killing a total of 32 people, including some of the hostages. One of those killed was the bomber Sam Melville, who had written a letter to his brother from prison in the spring of 1971, in which he also described the conditions prevailing there, but above all reflected on how he had dealt with the situation and his experience of the time. This composition has become a prime example of music of resistance. It captivates the audience with its consistently constructed architecture and precisely calculated climax.
The music of the Palestinian composer Samir Odeh-Tamimi radiates a similar power. The German composer Mathias Spahlinger is extremely consistent and uncompromising in his works. Both musicians see themselves as political composers.

With

Sylvia Nopper (Alt) Lucas Rössner (narrator), Ensemble Phoenix Basel, Jürg Henneberger (musical direction)

Program

Frederic Rzewski (*1938): «Coming Together» for narrator and ensemble (1971); Samir Odeh-Tamimi (*1970): «Alif» (2014) for alto and ensemble; Mathias Spahlinger (*1944): «Verlorener Weg I & II» for ensemble (1999/2000)

Info

19:00 Concert introduction with Jürg Henneberger

Duration

120 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 and children under 12 years.