In 2019, Éliane Radigue was awarded the Giga-Hertz Prize from the ZKM in Karlsruhe. In 2021, after numerous covid-related cancellations, Bertrand Gauguet, Yannick Guédon and I were able to return to ZKM and record several recent pieces from OCCAM OCEAN. The CD with OCCAM XXII, OCCAM RIVER XXII and OCCAM DELTA XIX will be released on shiiin in September.
One of the only countries in Europe allowing concerts last spring was Luxembourg. Hélène Breschand, Louis-Michel Marion and I had the great pleasure of performing works by Éliane Radigue, as part of Leonor Antunes’ installation “joints, voids and gaps” at the extraordinary MUDAM. Strict health regulations lead to the invention of a very stylish mask that allowed me to play the bass clarinet!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZS-JJluM_M
https://www.mudam.com/fr/expositions/vides-intervalles-et-jonctions
Though concert halls were silent last winter, recording studios were filled with sound. Christophe Hauser (sound engineer), Jeff Cohen (recording advisor), Hélène Fauchère Brohier (soprano), Nathalie Chabot (violin), Garth Knox (viola), Agnès Vesterman (cello), Sylvain Lemetre (percussion) and I (Bb clarinet) had the good fortune to record I listened to the Wind Again by the Swiss composer Jürg Frey. This most beautiful piece was commissioned by the Louth Contemporary Music Society and premiered in Dundalk, Ireland. It will be released by LCMS in October.
The first covid lockdown seemed like an incredibly uncreative time. Aside from improvising, I only wanted to play music by Telemann. Months later, I realized that something lovely had emerged from that suspended period, namely three pieces for bass clarinet with live electronics and electric guitar. Effluves (d’avril), Dédales (d’intérieur), Heurts (et perils). Thanks to the Musique Action Festival in Vandoeuvres-les-Nancy, Serge Teyssot-Gay and I were able to premiere the pieces in September.
How wonderful when a new piece comes to life. FOREST GAZING, for birbyne and string quartet was commissioned by Radio France. It was recorded by the excellent Quatuor Impact and myself for Anne Montaron’s show Création Mondiale, and will be broadcast once the coronavirus quarantine is over.
The Abbaye de Royaumont is the perfect place to launch a new piece. Thanks to the Foundation, I was able to bring together an outstanding team and begin work on FACETTES du feu, et de l’eau, a staged composition for 6 musicians, childrens choir, electronics, choreography and video.
FACETTES du feu, et de l’eau
with Christophe Hauser – sound, Laure Saint-Hillier – video, Anna Chirescu – choreography, Charles Bascou – computer music design,
Laurence Chave – percussion, Edward Perraud – drums, Violaine Lochu – soprano, Yannick Guédon – baritone, Serge Teyssot-Gay – electric guitar, Charlotte Testu – electrified double bass
People are finally talking more about women composers and their work, thanks in part to the book Compositrices L’égalité en acte, published in February 2019. I had the pleasure of participating in round table discussions on the subject hosted by the Festival of Aix-en-Provence in July, and by the Montpellier Opera Orchestra in November. There is much to be done!
How wonderful to finally share newly composed pieces for birbyne with the Lithuanian audience in Marijampoles. World and Lithuanian premieres of works by Jürg Frey, Zad Moultaka, Janis Petraskevics, Nadir Vassena and me. Lovely!
