Tonaliens is a new Berlin based group, investigating the inner dimensions and outer limits of Just Intonation. Exploring harmonic space with voice, brass, invented instruments, sine waves and live electronics,Tonaliens navigate intricate musical relationships using the Hayward Tuning Vine. Drawing on her background in the Indian music tradition Dhrupad, Amelia Cuni makes a melodic journey through the gradually shifting harmonic space. Her winding melodic lines are suggestive of a non-European tradition and at the same time they manifest the relation with the Just Intonation system through microtonality and further explore it. Hilary Jeffery connects with the melodic glissando of the voice through playing a slowed down version of the vocal lines on trombone.
With the use of a wa wa mute and sometimes hinting at jazz improvisation, his slower articulations echo the voice and provide timbral shading. A further temporal layer is introduced by Robin Hayward, who along with playing the Tuning Vine gradually explores the harmonic space down to the deepest limit of audibility using the microtonal tuba. Through using half-valve combinations and the resulting shifts in timbre he also refers to the voice. The position of Werner Durand in the ensemble sound is multifaceted. Sometimes enhancing the drone of the sine waves and the tuba, at other times sharing melodic contours with the trombone or responding to the melodic shapes of the voice. Additionally he adds a rhythmic dimension by articulating the interval relationships of the over and undertone series. A harmonic, melodic and rhythmic network of relationships between the musicians is thereby created and explored over the course of the music.
The ensemble is amplified and Ralf Meinz ompletes the picture with his subtle use of live electronics and spatial sound projection. In this performance Tonaliens are joined Amir ElSaffar on trumpet, who complements ideally with his microtonal and crosscultural experiences.
Varan is a trio from Berlin with Olga Nosova (drums, electronics, voice), Els Vandeweyer (vibraphone, percussion, voice) and Antonio Borghini (electric bass). The musicians are all active in the Berlin improvisation music scene and meet on several musical levels. That is mirrored within the compositions of the trio. Their music is composed of fragments based on pictures, texts, textures and actions around the varan, a dangerous predator. The Trio Varan articulates ancient explosive energy, which is however being unleahshed only sparely and in portions. In spite of its mighty power the music owns a deep inner tranquillity. Sometimes there is no contact to the outer world, just introversion, then the tension is again being released – quick reaction plays an important role here.
Jasmine Guffond is a sound artist and composer from Sydney, Australia, living and working in Berlin, Germany. She has performed live internationally, exhibited sound installations and recorded music for CD and 12inch vinyl releases with the Staubgold, Monika Enterprise and Sonic Pieces labels. Her music draws upon influences from experimental electronic, song and avant-garde music. Working with abstract sound as much as traditional musical forms to create a concordant relationship between a sound that holds emotive power and musicality, and a sensitive microscopic study of electro acoustic phenomena.
Ilan Katin is a visual artist working with drawings, installations and live video performances. His work with Jasmine Guffond compliments the performance through abstract and non-figurative forms, creating visual spaces that provide an abstract narrative and visual identity for Jasmine’s compositions. A creative symbiosis that transforms materiality.
Roberto Duarte – Berliner Improvisation (pre-premiere film screening), D 2016, 43 min
The film features material shot over the time of six years and presents concert situations, private artist presentations and interviews.
This event is presented by Digital in Berlin. Check out our Facebook page to win tickets.
biegungen w/ Tonaliens, Robin Hayward, Hilary Jeffery, Els Vandeweyer, Antonio Borghini, Olga Nosova, Jasmine Guffond, Ilan Katin, Roberto Duarte and Amir ElSaffar
Saturday, 19.11.2016 | 19:30 CET
Ausland | Lychener Str. 60 | 10437 Berlin/Prenzlauer Berg