A Journey of Artistic Discovery Across Europe
ULYSSES CO-COMMISSION: Alexander Khubeev
Organised by Gaudeamus, Ultima, Netherlands - Norway
The iconic poem Don’t Leave The Room from 1969, by Russian poet Joseph Brodsky, has lost none of its relevance today. For the Flemish Nadar Ensemble, it forms the starting point for an interdisciplinary performance about censorship, silence vs speaking out, in dystopias that feel uncomfortably topical.
Alexander Khubeev, winner of the Gaudeamus Award 2015, 'voices’ Brodsky’s poem about censorship, a pandemic and activism, using sign language, in a co-commission from ULYSSES Platform members Gaudeamus and Ultima. Also in the programme, Golnaz Shariatzadeh, nominated for the Award this year, combines music and animation in Blue Womb, a haunting work about the loss of hope in a post-apocalyptic city. And Galina Ustvolskaya’s intense Piano Sonata 6 was revolutionary music that was not allowed to be heard in the USSR.
Programme:
Galina Ustvolskaya - Piano Sonata 6
Golnaz Shariatzadeh - Blue Womb
Alexander Khubeev - Don’t leave the room (Ulysses Platform Co-Commission)
NADAR Ensemble
Marieke Berendsen - viola. Nico Couck - e-guitar. Elena Evstratova - solo performer. Katrien Gaelens - flute. Yves Goemaere - percussion. Dries Tack - clarinet. Pieter Matthynssens - cello. Elisa Medinilla - piano. Thomas Moore - trombone. Wannes Gonnissen - sound. Steven Reymer - video and lighting.
