BECOME CHOIR
Voice(s) of remembrance -cultural transformations
Immersive musical experienceUraufführung
With AuditivVokal Dresden
Artistic Director Olaf Katzer
Music John Cage, Salomone Rossi, Paul-Heinz Dittrich, Eres Holz, Ohad Ben-Ari and Amir Shpilman
Light and Space Choreography Johannes Schropp
An immersive concert experience in search of meaning and the chance for spiritual growth in a world of horror. Amidst a space created by sound and light technologies, visitors will immerse themselves in a compelling blend of text, music, singing, and movement.
BECOME CHOIR boldly explores the boundaries and potentials of art—an invitation to reflect on and discuss our history and identity. Uniquely its own, BECOME CHOIR aims to confront the growing anti-Semitism in Germany through artistic intervention.
Inspired by Theodor W. Adorno, who declared poetry’s end in the face of Auschwitz’s horrors, BECOME CHOIR poses the question of whether and how art can endure. To what extent can art be a medium for humanity’s experience of historical trauma and contribute to transformative processes?
Centered around ritualistic mourning songs, including the Kaddish, Psalms, and excerpts from requiems, this immersive concert spotlights Paul Celan’s Death Fugue. Johannes Schropp’s choreographic interpretation adds a physical dimension to the performance. Blending traditional and contemporary forms, the event offers a profound glimpse into the intricacies of the human experience. The sonic spectrum spans from early and new music to recitations of Paul Celan’s poems.
We urge all to rise and BECOME CHOIR — against indifference, hatred and the feeling of powerlessness!
Thu 11.4 | 8 PM
Radialsystem Studio C
Languages: German, Latin, Hebrew
Duration: 90 min.
25€ / 18€
BIOGRAPHIES
AuditivVokal Dresden, established in 2007 by conductor Olaf Katzer, swiftly rose to prominence as one of the foremost vocal ensembles in contemporary music. The core of their interdisciplinary artistic endeavors revolves around the human condition, exploring the significance of humanity, empathy, responsibility, and dignity within the ever-evolving realms of technology, society, and ecology. With a portfolio boasting over 150 world premieres, outstanding in-house productions, and international guest performances at prestigious festivals, along with a rich collection of CD, radio, and video recordings, the ensemble showcases both artistic diversity and stylistic singularity. The insights garnered from collaborations with the most esteemed contemporary composers resonate in their interpretations of early music, where the ensemble captivates audiences with its distinctive approach.
Olaf Katzer, a graduate in music and psychology from Munich, Weimar, and Dresden, founded the Ensemble AuditivVokal Dresden in 2007 during his studies. His dedication to contemporary vocal music is evident through the ensemble’s impressive track record, featuring over 100 world premieres, first performances, international guest performances at prestigious festivals, and notable radio recordings. Engaging in transdisciplinary collaboration with singers, instrumentalists, dancers, composers, painters, directors, and scientists, Katzer shapes contemporary ensemble art for the 21st century through sustainable and unconventional programs. Since 2011, he has served as a lecturer for choral conducting at Hochschule für Musik Dresden, assuming the role of substitute professor for choral conducting since 2015/16. Recognizing his contributions, Olaf Katzer received the Advancement Award from the state capital Dresden in 2019 and the Arras Award in 2020.
Johannes Schropp (*1997) studied Choreography & Performance in Gießen (with Bojana Kunst, Xavier Le Roy, Martina Ruhsam, among others) and Composition in Stuttgart (with Martin Schüttler, Jennifer Walshe, among others). His predominantly sound-related work is installation-based, videographic, and physical. He creates music for dance and performance, as well as stage, video, and immersive, performative concepts for music theater and concerts. Performances, residencies, and collaborations include Tanzhaus NRW, Hellerau Dresden, Staatstheater Darmstadt, Radialsystem Berlin, Tanzfaktur Köln, Act Festival Bilbao (ES), Simultan Festival Timișoara (RO), Sofia Art Week 4 (BG), TONALi Hamburg.