On March 1, Ensemble Ascolta, Mivos Quartet and Due Corde are presenting works by Ming Tsao in a portrait concert at Epiphanias church Mannheim. Part of this concert is the world premiere of his work Dritte Stimme zu Bachs zweistimmigen Rätselkanons for any key instrument presented by Due Corde.
The added third voice to J.S. Bach's “Rätselkanon” from the Musical Offering seems to behave in a way that conforms to the rules of Bach's counterpoint. However, the presence of disruptive cross-relationships and transient successive dissonances destabilizes the harmonic hierarchy of Bach's canons, which support the symmetry of the riddle canon structure. As a result, the added third voice acts like a virus, mimicking the contrapuntal actions around it while infecting its capacity for harmonic stability. Such an infection of Bach's canons allows for a more materialistic listening that is not manipulated by harmonic progressions, but rather focuses on its contrapuntal relationships.
The program also includes the following works: Not Reconciled, Pathology of Syntax,
Dritte Stimme zu Bachs zweistimmigen Inventionen, & Plus Minus.
For further information see Nationaltheater Mannheim.
