The generation of people born around 1945, from England, France and Italy, are those being given a voice in this extraordinary Goethe-Institut music and exchange project about the past, present, and future of Europe. Inspired by interviews from the European Archive of Voices, the Russian-German composer Michael Langemann has created the musical work of art called Voices.Europe.
Members of the German Choir London, Les Temperamens Variations in Paris and the Coro Città di Roma have been recorded the music individually in their homes on their mobilephones, computers or tablets. Artistic director Barbara Höfling and Sound Designer Joshua Cooter have brought these voices together into harmony, working alongside film maker Aaron Trinder.
The film shows snapshots in and around European cities, transitioning from a locked down world, to a re-connected one, linking ambient moments in European lives to give a sense of the connection between these participants from disparate backgrounds and cultures.
Singers from around Europe sing musical phrases, initially, separated, alone in their front room, on an empty performance stage, on a roof terrace, in an empty hallway. Slowly as the music continues, we see other singers connect virtually via self shot video, singing with the larger group, overlapping and combining. Finally the singers move together and we see them perform as groups for the first time. Connections, which have been created by the music are also made visible through the moving image.

Video

Credits

„Voices Europe“ is a project by the Goethe-Institut London in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut Rome and Paris.

With a special thanks to
Stone Nest London
Ars Electronica Festival 2021