NCH After Beethoven Series: 'Infinity' programme curated by Ann Cleare

Ensemble Musikfabrik:
Carl Rosman clarinet/bass clarinet
Benjamin Kobler piano (instead of Ulrich Löffler)
Darragh Morgan violin (instead of Hannah Weirich)
Dirk Wietheger cello

This special composer-led series sees leading Irish composers Ann Cleare, Anselm McDonnell, Garrett Sholdice, Ian Wilson and Jane O’Leary respond to Beethoven’s creative legacy. Each concert features a new commission by the composer presented in a concert of their own curation.

Composer's Response:

In his late works, Beethoven realised a striking balance between necessity and freedom, regenerating musical ideas to such a degree that the material becomes almost infinite in its possibilities. Sudden modulations and unforeseen dissonances suggest an attempt to break away, to cross the borders of traditional harmony and rhythm, towards a more expansive form, perhaps what could be heard as a picture of musical infinity.
This programme from Irish, German, British, and Russian composers connect works of the recent past to the developing modernist vision of Beethoven in his late works, particularly the bold, contrasting, driving motifs of these pieces, and their ability to endlessly regenerate into an infinity of musical textures. 

“At night, when watching in wonder the sky with that multitude of luminous bodies called suns or planets which forever circle in their orbits, my soul rises towards those distant stars, towards the prime source from which all that is created draws its origin… But when on occasion I try to give musical form to my excited emotions, I feel terribly disappointed: I fling my blotted sheet of paper with anger to the floor deeply convinced that no mortal man will ever be able to depict in sounds, words or colours the heavenly images that rose before his excited imagination at this moment” - Beethoven

(Ann Cleare)

Since its formation in 1990, Ensemble Musikfabrik has had the reputation of being one of the leading ensembles for contemporary music. Following the literal meaning of its name, Ensemble Musikfabrik is particularly dedicated to artistic innovation. New, unknown, and often personally commissioned works in unusual media are typical of their productions. 

Programme

Enno Poppe - Haare, for solo violin

Rebecca Saunders -The Underside of Green, for clarinet, violin, piano

Judith Ring - whispering the turmoil down, for clarinet & electronics

Seán Ó Dálaigh - Piano Trio

Simon Mawhinney - Solo Fingers 2, for solo piano

Ann Cleare - Fossil Light, for clarinet, violin, cello, piano

Galina Ustvolskaya - Duo for violin and piano

Tickets

Tickets available via the National Concert Hall, booking here.