First day of CROWD MUSIC rehearsal for REKA in Milan ! Great photos of Nora Roitberg !
The entire frame of REKA, composed of a huge organic of performers is held within a frame created by 2 virtuoso percussions players, the Italian soloists Simone Beneventi and Lorenzo Colombo. Both of them are dear colleagues with whom I've worked in the past (Lorenzo played in my icon-sonic symphony OTOT and my solo percussions Utopie and both had performed in my Opera "Noise for Syd"), and now are taking this not simple challenge with great dedication. Simone had also invented 2 sets of multi functional mallets, which he calls the "REKA mallets" !
the "REKA mallets" of Simone
Lorenzo and conductor Dario Garegnani looking at the bass drum part
Omar Bandinu, the Bassu (low) singer of the renowned vocal ensemble Tenores di Bitti Mialinu Pira is a unique figure of the Sardinian culture. The musical style of "Canto a Tenores" is a part of Unesco's intangible treasures of humanity and his group is the main ambassador of this musical style, defined also as a pure polyphony of timbers. Omar is also a talented piano player, a musicologist, an electronic musician and an eager researcher of the Sardinian culture. With Omar we speak always in two levels - in the traditional context and in the universal level of creativity. Omar feel's this project unites of these aspects, and I'm happy about it.
In few days the rehearsals of REKA will start.
Conducting in two is far more complex than conducting in one...especially when the major part of the performers don't read musical scores :)
Me and Dario are really getting into this project into the vains
Help us choosing a dress for Sofia Kaikov's premiere !!!
Written by Yuval AvitalHelp us choosing the right dress for Sofia Kaikov for the world premiere of REKA !!!
WORLD PREMIERE :
16/09/2014 - MiTo SettembreMusica Festival, Milan, Italy
24/09/2014 - Warsaw Autumn Festival, Warsaw, Poland.
studying REKA & eating Ushpalo with Sofia Kaikov
Written by Yuval AvitalSofia & Jasek Kaikov are a little confused in the beginning when they view Sofia's score. Little by little we get to work. A lot of things connected to the Bukharian tradition, many new things that we need to find. But at the same time I am not only a composer working with a soloist on a score but also a guest. And aguest in the Bukharian tradition needs to eat - and to eat a lot !
Even though I come from Milan, Sofia treats me as if I haven't eaten for 2 years - and for the first time I try the magical Bukharian "Ushpilau" (rice with carrots & meat that you eat strictly with hands). At the same time, we choose an amazing exile song for an important section in the opera. There is such an beautiful connection between emotion, life and art in this culture. So, great music & Great food. Sometimes my life is really quite nice !
If you never heard the voice of Sainkho Namtchylak I envy you, since you are going to have a unique musical experience - of wonder and beauty. I know Sainkho since 2009, when I invited her to my Trialogo festival in 2009 (link). Since then we have become good friends.
In her home in Vienna we look together at her score which is a kind of an ultimate challenge of an extended vocal techniques master. I can count with my fingers of my two hands (maybe of one hand even) the soloists I know of that could hold the challenge of her part.
Sainkho is going to be the first soloist in REKA, and will need to navigate between extremes of the human voice, to create sounds, rhythms and chants, using almost every possible method of vocal production.
What a lucky composer I am to have such a great artist on board !
I know Joe Legwabe for almost 10 years. Each time he surprises me with his poetic vision of music, sound and life. He goes with me to every sonic experiment or research I wish to try, much more open minded than most of the so called "experimental" or "contemporary" vocal soloists one can meet in the scene.We work on the score and - its not easy. At a certain point he invents on the spot a new whistling technique which I needed for a section of the work, and it is just amazing. REKA work in London with Mister Legwabe is a rare treat !
Last day in Karlsruhe, we decide to work in nature. Epi is ready for the world premiere - he is going to be amazing.
Sometimes I feel I have the best job in the world.
Finally in Karlsruhe with my friend Epi, reading the score and eating Buuz (Mongolian snack). Happy to be with Epi !
More...
Learning the Xhosa click language of the Zulu tribe of South Africa with one of my favorite singers in the world - Joe Legwabe.
Mid July I'm going to London to work with Joe, will be a vocal adventure !!!