Aarthi (2011)'20
Organotronics!
Organist
Katerina Chrobokova
Composers
Juan Felipe Waller – Mexico, new work
Philemon Mukarno – Indonesia, new work
Dimitris Andricopoulos – Greece, new work
Light design
Henk van der Geest
Even though the organ is known as a majestic instrument with a rich and virtuosic potential, to the ordinary public, organ repertoire is more than often related to old music, with religious atmospheres. Organotronics is a concert that breaks with this preconception. It extends the already generous universe of the organ with the use of live electronics.
INTRODUCTION
The organ is often seen as a rather traditional instrument and is used mainly into the liturgical context. I am going to demonstrate the astonishing potential of my instrument.
I want to communicate with the language of the present time, this is to play music that can speak to the ears of the young today by combining the modern aspect of their trends together with my traditional instrument.
I would also like to broaden the audience by combining the organ with other forms of arts: electronics, light design. This approach places the organ into a context different from the traditional one.
The organ can be seen by the young generation as a huge synthesizer. With the use of live electronics I would like to create a combination which both appeals and intrigues different generations.
I like the “industrial” effect – cold, iron sound, as a sort of factory sound world.
At the concert, I will offer unusual sounds only the organ can produce, combined with electronics which will be live processing to enhance and reenact these sounds.
I asked composers who like to experiment with my instrument in very different ways, using the instrument as innovative as Dieter Schnebel in his NÁZEV , who places microphones in the motors of the organ to amplify an uncommon sound of the instrument.
The whole performance is emphasized with a special light design produced especially for this project. It strengthens the atmosphere of the vast palette of different sounds of the organ. To make this picture complete, I am underlining the industrial atmosphere with the help of dutch magician of light Henk van der Geest, who is known for his artistry in light performances.
Three new pieces by three composers from a young generation – Philemon Mukarno, Juan Felipe Waller, and Dimitris Andricopoulos – are on the programme. They all have studied at the same period in Holland, but nevertheless, each of them has their own strong personality, mixing the Holland connection with their roots in Indonesia, Mexico, and Greece, respectively –
Composers
The organist and initiator of this project has an artistic ideal of offering a concert featuring new compositions that particularly resonate with young individuals. She expresses her thoughts on this as follows:
“I want to communicate with the language of the present time, this is to play the music that can speak to the ears of the young today by combining the modern aspect of their trends together with my traditional instrument. I like the “industrial” effect – cold, iron sound, as a sort of factory sound world. At the concert, I will offer unusual sounds only the organ can produce, combined with electronics which will be live processed to enhance and re-enact these sounds. To make this picture complete, I am underlining the industrial atmosphere with the help of the Dutch magician of light Henk van der Geest, who is known for his artistry in light performances.”
This project unequivocally positions the Netherlands as a vanguard in the domain of contemporary music within the global organ landscape. The distinguished musicians engaged in this initiative, originating from Mexico, Greece, Indonesia, and the Czech Republic, have forged acquaintances during their academic pursuits in the Netherlands. Notably, the composers among them have endowed the Dutch music milieu with their triumphant compositions, enriching its artistic tapestry. Under the discerning guidance of the organist, this collaborative ensemble embarks upon a venture that presents the organ in a modernistic panorama, resonating not only within the Netherlands but also throughout Europe. Such artistic vision harmonizes seamlessly with the profound mission upheld by the esteemed Foundation for the Wind.
Through the multinational composition of Organotronics and its thought-provoking artistic concept, this undertaking epitomizes the Dutch initiative of Connecting Arts—a dynamic international collaboration designed to reinstate the organ at the very core of cultural existence. In manifesting this noble endeavor, the project revitalizes the organ, captivating audiences far and wide with its resplendent allure.
Czech organist Kateřina Chroboková pursued her studies in the Netherlands, where she had the opportunity to meet a group of young composers who eagerly desired to collaborate with her. This encounter gave birth to the concept of Organotronics, a concert combining organ, electronics, and lighting, featuring performers and composers who form a highly international ensemble, all sharing a distinct musical connection with the Netherlands. Each musician boasts an outstanding track record of achievements. Dutch lighting designer Henk van der Geest provides a contemporary visual dimension to the music.
Composers Philemon Mukarno, Felipe Waller, and Dimitris Andrikopoulos were chosen due to the clear equilibrium apparent in their works, harmonizing the serious style of contemporary music with the fresh and up-to-date appeal of the latest popular musical trends. What unites them is their inspiration drawn from the brilliance of this organist and her ideas on modern organ usage. Additionally, they all possess multicultural backgrounds that guarantee stylistic versatility. Familiar with one another, they will complement the program with their diverse contributions, forming a cohesive and complementary ensemble.