A night of graphic notation, extended scores, sounding images and live composition. Part of the here.here concert series.
The line between composition and improvisation is explored in Harry Whalley’s exciting use a pen, paper and an overhead projector. In Over Head Projection, the composer, performers and audience start with a blank page; and follow together as a compositional form and improvisational spaces are merged. George Crumb’s seminal work Black Angels for amplified or electronic string quartet. The subtitle, 'Thirteen Images from the Dark Land' gives a clue to the numerology and complex score world that Crumb has created. In this concert, the audience shall be made privy to those esoteric scores through projections. The intimate letters between Leoš Janácekand Kamila Stösslová form the basis of his powerful second quartet.“You stand behind every note, you, living, forceful, loving. The fragrance of your body, the glow of your kisses – no, really of mine. Those notes of mine kiss all of you. They call for you passionately...". A few birds and sleeping by Emmanuelle Waeckerle invites the performers and audience to ‘breathe’, to sounding images and moving stills. They offer a silent image of the world, sound has been exiled from them.
The Gildas Quartet has performed to critical acclaim at major venues including the Bridgewater Hall, Purcell Room, Wigmore Hall, and on BBC Radio 3. Praised for their 'energy, verve and refreshing approach', their bold and explorative approach to performance has been recognised by the International Franz Schubert and Modern Music Competition, Graz, where they were first prize winners of the Audience Engagement Award in 2018.
Equally passionate about new music and works from the quartet canon, the Gildas has a concert series called 'First Nights, Last Rites' where they commission pieces to be partnered with late well-loved quartets. The first instalment, a new piece by Philip Cashian, was conceived to be performed alongside Schubert's 'Death and the Maiden', receiving its premiere at the St Magnus Festival in Orkney. The quartet has also been privileged to work with composers including Sir Harrison Birtwistle and Colin Matthews on performing their works for quartet.