Dawn, the blue hour, the first signs of daylight. Looking east. In the heart of Munich, on the wasteland of the future Konzerthaus, pianist-composer Alain Roche, connected to his suspended instrument, performs WINTER SOLSTICE - piece in 1 movement for solo piano. At the same time, live from seven natural sites in Bavaria and Switzerland, sounds emanating from animal and plant activity, inaudible to the human ear, are captured - via a technological device developed specially for the project by the Zurich University of the Arts (ZhdK) - in the water, under the earth, on and in the plants. The sound artist accompanying the pianist receives this raw material via digital streaming. He selects it, works on it and broadcasts it live. Permeable to these sounds, the performer Alain Roche shakes up his score. The audience, equipped with headphones and installed on deckchairs, welcomes the day, its colours and this improvised counterpoint between notes and sounds. The composition thus mutates over the course of the performances, transforming the initial piece WINTER SOLSTICE into a new piece entitled SUMMER SOLSTICE. Juxtaposing the frenetic rhythm of an urban city with the infinite renewal of nature. How does listening to these cycles on a daily basis, paying close attention to them, impact on human beings and their habits? An ode to light, the seasons and the elements, Solstice to solstice tests the cyclical nature of life from the winter solstice to the summer solstice without interruption - 182 performances from 22 December 2023 to 20 June 2024.
CREATION
Concept and composition Alain Roche
Sound art Pablo Diserens
Musical Direction Djamel Cencio
Technical Director Stéphane Gattoni
Sound Benoît Saillet
DEVELOPMENT
Microphone interface Sébastien Schiesser / ZhdK ICST Zürcher Hochschule der Künste & Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology
Audio technology Fabian Schild / Hyperson
Computing and audio streaming Loïc Pipoz
Piano Service Matthias Maurer
PIANO INVENTION
Design Alain Roche
Piano mechanics Fernand Kummer
Hook Cédric Berthoud
Chair Pierre Favre
Engineering Bureau Ingénieurs Willy
PRODUCTION
Management Emilien Rossier / oh la la - performing arts production
Administration and production Boll & Roche Cie
Coproduction ZhdK - ICST / Zurich
COPRODUCTION
Werksviertel-Mitte Kunst
Director Dr. Martina Taubenberger
Project Management Anke Neudel
Press Officer Angelika Schindel
Documentation Horacio Alcalá
PERFORMANCE
Piano Alain Roche
Sound art Pablo Diserens, Stéphanie Boll (alternating)
SUPPORT
CH Pro Helvetia, Loterie Romande, Canton du Valais, Migros Engagement, Ernst Göhner Stiftung, Ville de Sion, Bourgeoisie de Sion
**Werksviertel-Mitte Kunst