YUVAL AVITAL

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.

Sofia & 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 !

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 !