Festival Ars Musica, Brussels

Concert 1

20:30hrs, Friday 27 March, Espace du Garage, Céroux-Mousty
Solo and duo music by Richard BARRETT, Chris DENCH, Helmut LACHENMANN, Liza LIM and Brian FERNEYHOUGH

Concert 2

20:30hrs, Saturday 28 March, Théâtre Marni, Brussels
ELISION and ICTUS Ensembles, Christian EGGEN conductor
Music of Brian FERNEYHOUGH, Luc BREWAEYS, Liza LIM, and Chris DENCH

Concert 3

20:30hrs, Monday 30 March, Botanique, Brussels
EUROPEAN PREMIERE
Richard BARRETT's Opening of the Mouth
ELISION Ensemble, Simon HEWETT conductor

Based in Brussels, Festival Ars Musica is recognised today as one of the leading European events in the field of contemporary music. Founded in 1988 by several of the most important Belgian musical organisations, Festival Ars Musica's goal is to promote music of the XXth century to a broader audience. Taking place once a year in the month of March, the festival's programme is rich and diversified. Performers at the tenth festival include the BBC Singers, Ensemble InterContemporain, Ensemble Modern, ICTUS Ensemble, Percussions de Strasbourg, Asko Ensemble, Klangforum Wien, Contrechamps, and ELISION Ensemble.

Concert 1: Soloists of ELISION

Richard BARRETT von hinter dem Schmerz (1996)

Friedrich GAUWERKY violoncello solo

Richard BARRETT Ne songe plus à fuir (1985-6)

Friedrich GAUWERKY violoncello solo

Chris DENCH ruins within (1994)

Carl ROSMAN clarinet in A solo

Helmut LACHENMANN Dal Niente (interieur III) (1970)

Carl ROSMAN clarinet in Bb solo

Liza LIM INGUZ (fertility) (1996)

Carl ROSMAN clarinet in A and Friedrich GAUWERKY violoncello

Brian FERNEYHOUGH Unity Capsule (1975-6)

Paula RAE flute solo

Concert 2: ELISION and ICTUS Ensembles

Brian FERNEYHOUGH Incipits (1996)

solo viola and obligato percussion, flute/piccolo, clarinet/bass clarinet, violin I, violin II, violoncello, contrabass

Luc BREWAEYS Oban

instrumentation not available

Liza LIM The Heart's Ear (1997)

flute/piccolo, clarinet, violin I, violin II, viola, violoncello

Chris DENCH Driftglass (1991)

Peter NEVILLE percussion solo and amplified ensemble
flute/piccolo, Eb clarinet, guitar, trombone and contrabass

Brian FERNEYHOUGH Time and Motion Study No. 1 (1971-7)

Carl ROSMAN bass clarinet solo

Brian FERNEYHOUGH Time and Motion Study No. 2 (1973-6)

Friedrich GAUWERKY violoncello solo with delay and modulation

ICTUS Ensemble musicians joining with ELISION Ensemble for this concert are George van DAM and Igor SEMENOFF violin, Dominique EYCKMANS alto, Gery CAMBIER contrabass, Dirk NOYEN bassoon, Benno TRAUTMANN french horn, Alain PIRE trombone, Miguel BERNAT percussion, and Jean-Luc PLOUVIER piano.

Concert 3: Opening of the Mouth

This is the European premiere of the major new work by composer Richard BARRETT, Opening of the Mouth, which was premeried in 1997 by ELISION Ensemble at the The Festival of Perth.

Presented in concert form, this performance will feature the original performers Deborah KAYSER soprano, Ute WASSERMANN mezzo-soprano, Paula RAE flutes, Carl ROSMAN clarinets, Denise WAMBSGANß mandolins, Daryl BUCKLEY and Geoffrey MORRIS guitars, Satsuki ODAMURA kotos, Mary OLIVER violins/hardanger fiddle, Friedrich GAUWERKY violoncello, Peter NEVILLE percussion, Richard BARRETT sound artist.

The performance will be directed by young Australian conductor Simon HEWETT.

ELISION Ensemble's 1998 international tour is made possible through the assistance of the Commonwealth of Australia through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body; The Arts Office Queensland; and the Office of the Vice Chancellor, The University of Queensland