DCV 359 – Strahovnik: 4 Souls

On 16 and 17 November eight candidates –  young percussionists from the whole world – will perform 8 times in the semi-final a new piece by Petra Strahovnik specially written for the Tromp Percussion Competition 2022

On 16 and 17 November eight candidates –  young percussionists from the whole world – will perform 8 times in the semi-final a new piece by Petra Strahovnik specially written for the Tromp Percussion Competition 2022

The Hague is not only ‘rock city’. Many contemporary composers also find fertile ground there. The Royal Conservatoire and the rich music scene in The Hague attract many composers and music lovers from all over the world. A creative breeding ground that is now being put in the spotlight by ensemble Asko|Schönberg.

There is a particular concept of performance art that was developed by Black Market International and focuses on different artists performing in the same space simultaneously. No one knows what will happen, the performances aren’t directed. Although coincidences and improvisations occur regularly, each artist sticks to their ideas and ways of performing.

With video, media, theatre, movement, soundtracks and of course live music, this program stimulates many senses. You will hear music by abstract thinker Peter Adriaansz and master of irony Martijn Padding alongside work by young talents from their composition class at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague.

Music Biennale Zagreb: Balkan Affairs Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart & Hanan Hadžajlić, Jug Marković, Ana Pandevska, Nina Perović, Petra Strahovnik, Helena Skljarov BALKAN AFFAIRS is a Biennale project aimed at opening up space for the development of young composers in the Balkan region, encouraging them to exchange ideas and understand each other’s cultural similarities and differences.

BALKAN AFFAIRS is a Biennale project aimed at opening up space for the development of young composers in the Balkan region, encouraging them to exchange ideas and understand each other’s cultural similarities and differences.

BALKAN AFFAIRS Six composers from the six republics of the former Yugoslavia have dealt with the effects of the Balkan wars, which continue to shape the societies of their home countries to this day–and which are once again coming depressingly close to European consciousness.

At the time of writing this piece I was very interested in Quantum Mechanics.

Before the Frankfurt Book Fair focuses on its guest of honour, Slovenia, from October 18 to 22, 2023, Ensemble Modern gives insights into the surprisingly diverse New Music scene of the country on October 7, 2023 at the Alte Oper Frankfurt.

Before the Frankfurt Book Fair focuses on its guest of honour, Slovenia, from October 18 to 22 2023, Ensemble Modern gives insights into the surprisingly diverse New Music scene of the country on October 7 2023 at the Alte Oper Frankfurt.

Before the Frankfurt Book Fair focuses on its guest of honour, Slovenia, from October 18 to 22, 2023, Ensemble Modern gives insights into the surprisingly diverse New Music scene of the country on October 7, 2023 at the Alte Oper Frankfurt.

Sense-S The project Sense-S intertwines 2 works; the centre piece ‘Sense’ written for an Orchestra and the piece ‘Senses’, an Overture and a Finale, written for an Orchestra, a Tape and a Magician.

Piano concerto for 3 grand pianos, sound installation and orchestra; 45-60 min The non musical idea of this piece is the Rush of modern-day living and The Toxicities of Our Culture as the author physician Gabor Maté expresses in his latest book The Myth of Normal.

Humans evolved to react to perceived harm, attack, or threats to survival with the fight-or flight response—an instinctive mechanism designed for protection. While often beneficial, this response becomes problematic when faced with inescapable or prolonged trauma, such as war, disease, or chronic stress.

"Creativity is an unconscious act of insanity, in a burst of which the truth is born. No matter how beautiful or disgusting it may seem to people far from madness, its value is beyond doubt, both for the author and for those able to sense its invisible beauty. After all, gratitude for endless trials and suffering brings joy and blissful emptiness… Being shocked by music is about pain turning into beauty and getting under your skin, taking away your breath; about everything stopping to move. I want to be scratched inside by sound and experience the fleeting, invisible beauty." - Maxim Shalygin

Celia Swart (1994, NL) is a new music composer, saxophone player and visual artist. Growing up playing saxophone and piano, she found her love for composing.

Education Michael has a degree in English Literature from the State University of New York. Despite having no formal music education, he has an active international career in several aspects of the music business.