The Cello Octet Amsterdam and a robot ensemble by Nick Verstand, Maki Namekawa – the Big Concert Night in POSTCITY’s train hall will (once again) be a highlight of the festival.
Claire Bleumer, Esther Torrenga, Genevieve Verhage, Alistair Sung, Rares Mihailescu, René van Munster, Sanne Bijker and Sanne van der Horst are the “Cello Octet Amsterdam”. Projects with composers such as Philip Glass, Sofia Gubaidulina and Arvo Pärt have earned the ensemble an international reputation. Nick Verstand, on the other hand, is an artist, performer and light designer. He creates extraordinary stage and light installations, together with artists such as Björk, Doja Cat, Fatima Yamaha and Suzanne Ciani.
Please note! Tickets are sold out.
As part of the “Big Concert Night” at this year’s Ars Electronica, the “Cello Octet Amsterdam” and Nick Verstand present a live performance that oscillates between creation and destruction and questions our future role in the earthly ecosystem. “Cocon” is formed by eight cellists and just as many robotic arms, all of which move to the rhythm of the music. Man and machine reunite in a scene of light, kinetics and sound. Pieces written for cello by internationally renowned artists such as Caterina Barbieri, Kara-Lis Coverdale, KMRU & Abul Mogard, Jesse Broekman and Qasim Naqvi will be performed.
The performance will include:
„Motion Picture“
Philip Glass : The Hours
Philip Glass : Dracula
(arranged for piano and cello octet by Michael Riesman)
(Austrian Premiere)
with real-time visualizations by Cori O‘Lan
In the second part of this evening, the Cello Octet Amsterdam will perform together with pianist Maki Namekawa.
Maki Namekawa, photo: Andreas Kolb
Photo: Cello Octet Amsterdam & Maki Namekawa
Afterwards, the Ars Electronica Nightline acts will continue until 4 am.