Michael Hersch: sew me into a shroud of leaves
Saturday, 09. November 2019, 05:00
Prunksaal der Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek © Österreichische Nationalbibliothek
It is astonishing — and something that needs urgent correction — that the music of Michael Hersch is hardly ever heard in Vienna. He remains something of an insider’s tip, even though his admirers include the likes of Patricia Kopatchinskaja and Georg Friedrich Haas. Now, finally giving him the space he deserves, Wien Modern 2019 is presenting the most ambitious work by the composer who was born in Washington in 1971, and which has a running time of an entire day. The instrumentation for his trilogy, »sew me into a shroud of leaves« is minimal— (piano solo, cello/horn, piano solo). But truly scales the giddy heights in terms of sheer length, intensity and expressivity. The autobiographical backdrop of an encounter with the unfathomable is distilled into music with elemental, cleansing force and power. From just before sunrise to just after sunset, with a running time of 11 hours (or 15 with intervals), the performance will take place in the baroque ceremonial hall of the Austrian National Library. Stretching music to its limits in this way is a magnificent sign of confidence in the virtuosity of the musicians and of the audience, who can lie down, and come and go as they please. To help counter the frosty temperatures required to conserve Austria’s most beautiful library, blankets, food and drink will be available for audience members.
Artists
Jason Hardink,
Klavier Part I: The Vanishing Pavilions
Jamie Hersch,
Horn Part II: Last Autumn
Mariel Roberts,
Violoncello Part II: Last Autumn
Jacob Rhodebeck,
Klavier Part III: One Day Become Menace
Program
Michael Hersch
sew me into a shroud of leaves (2001–2016) UA
5:00–8:20 Uhr:
Michael Hersch
sew me into a shroud of leaves. Part I: The Vanishing Pavilions (2001–2005)
9:30–11.50 Uhr:
Michael Hersch
sew me into a shroud of leaves. Part II: Last Autumn (2006–2008)
13:00–20.00 Uhr:
Michael Hersch
sew me into a shroud of leaves. Part III: one day may become menace (2009–2016)
Remark
Sehr warme Kleidung wird empfohlen. Warme Speisen und Getränke sind vor Ort erhältlich.
Einlass jederzeit, nach aktueller Platzkapazität.
Produktion Wien Modern in Kooperation mit Österreichische Nationalbibliothek. Mit freundlicher Unterstützung der US Botschaft Wien