This fall marks an exciting trio of world premieres of new works for symphony orchestra and large ensemble by George Lewis, “one of the most formidable figures in modern music” (The New Yorker). In these three works, Lewis stretches the boundaries of musical technology, challenges our listening, and coaxes us towards new ways of viewing the world.
On September 6, Musikfestival Bern premieres Lewis’ Ein Teufel im Dom (The Devil in the Cathedral) for wind-dynamic organ and large ensemble under the baton of conductor Vimbayi Kaziboni. Developed by the work’s soloist Daniel Glaus in collaboration with Swiss scientists and organ-builders, the wind-dynamic organ is a fascinating new instrument that extends the capacity of the organ by allowing the depth of key presses to radically alter the instrument’s dynamics, timbre, and intonation. Lewis takes advantage of this unpredictable system to explore tropes of subversion, infiltration, and decolonization in this new work commissioned by Musikfestival Bern.
On October 5, the ORF Radio Vienna Symphony Orchestra debuts Your Network is Unstable, a symphonic evocation of our world’s fundamental instability that Lewis intends “to foster not only a subliminal psychological discouragement of complacency, but also a celebration of mobility.” Commissioned by and premiered at the ORF’s musikprotokoll festival, Your Network is Unstable is a keen reminder of our fundamental connection and the potential of our responses to change.
Rounding out this busy season of premieres, on October 18 the SWR Symphony gives the world premiere of The Reincarnation of Blind Tom, a double concerto for symphony orchestra, improvising human soloist, and improvising AI pianist. This piece continues Lewis’ engagement with the music and life of Thomas “Blind Tom” Wiggins, a talented composer-pianist who was born under slavery but nonetheless became one of most famous American musicians of his age. In Lewis’ work, “Wiggins is metaphorically reincarnated as an AI” using the latest version of Lewis’ Voyager system. The Reincarnation of Blind Tom was commissioned by SWR for the Donaueschinger Musiktage and will be conducted by Susanne Blumenthal.
Tickets and Info:
September 6: Ein Teufel im Dom at Musikfestival Bern
October 5: Your Network is Unstable at ORF musikprotokoll
October 18: The Reincarnation of Blind Tom at SWR Donaueschinger Musiktage
For more information, please contact your local Wise Music Promotion Team; Contact Us.
