High voltage. The complete package: rhythmically, harmonically, sonically. The collaboration between the NDR Bigband and composer Darcy James Argue promises serious fun. An awareness of tradition is paired with the open horizon of the internet age and the desire to wildly combine and re-contextualise.
Ding dong – the doorbell rings! Flat by flat, we trudge up the grand staircase and try to find the family who have lost their bunch of keys in the entrance hall. The doors may all look monotonous, but the doorbell signs give us an idea: the most colourful families live behind them. Whether traditional, small combo, large gang, solo or patchwork: they all tell us stories about being together, laughing and arguing with each other and the daily improvisation as part of a large »house community« called a big band. A concert about families in all their facets and a tribute to the diversity of jazz music.
Frank Zappa had a special position in the popular music of the 20th century because he was inspired and influenced by composers of the contemporary avant-garde. Colin Towns has arranged some of Zappa’s compositions for the NDR Bigband. Under the direction of chief conductor Geir Lysne, the big band presents a programme of these pieces. Musicians from Ensemble Modern, Zappa’s »last band«, will round off the evening under the direction of Jonathan Stockhammer with works that characterised Zappa: Iannis Xenakis’ »Anaktoria«, Anton Webern’s Symphony op. 21, »Octandre« by Edgard Varèse and Karlheinz Stockhausen’s »Gesang der Jünglinge«.
NDR has awarded three commissions for compositions: to the US composer and multi-instrumentalist Carla Kihlstedt, to the British trombonist and composer Alex Paxton and to the German composer and music producer Ali N. Askin. All three work across styles between art rock, jazz, contemporary music, improvisation and electronic avant-garde. In this evening’s three world premieres, the NDR Bigband and Ensemble Modern will explore the specific possibilities that arise from their collaboration. Jonathan Stockhammer conducts.
»Polar Soundscapes« is Geir Lysne’s musical interpretation of the polar north: very personal, explosive and lyrical at the same time. Born in 1965 in Trondheim, Norway, saxophonist, composer and bandleader Geir Lysne has been Chief Conductor of the NDR Big Band since 2016. In his role as chief conductor, he has not only conducted great projects, but has also written a large number of unique musical pieces for the ensemble.
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