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Description
A new composition for sixth-tone harmonium (the first in over ninety years) and electronic playback, composed by Ian Mikyska and performed by Miroslav Beinhauer, is a key output of the project. Light design by Jan Komárek will form an integral element of the live performances.
We intend to organise a world premiere of the composition as well as another all-evening concert within the project. We will make audio-visual recordings of the composition and accompanying activities. It will allow us to reach broader audiences when sharing the project outputs. Accompanying activities focus on two target groups – the general public (a series of six workshops, two debates) and music professionals (two master classes, one networking seminar in Norway).
An informal discussion with the artists, including a special programme (public dress rehearsal) will be part of every live performance. It will give the audience insight into the creative processes of contemporary microtonal and electronic music.
A workshop series, Retuned Ears, will focus on microtonal music, introducing participants to musical concepts from various non-Western cultures. It will contribute to the enhancement of understanding of cultures of national and ethnical minorities living in the Czech Republic.
Master classes on microtonality will develop composers’ and performers’ skills in the composition and performance of microtonal music. A seminar will connect Czech and Norwegian contemporary and microtonal music experts. It will introduce contemporary Czech music to Norwegian professionals, contribute to an exchange of know-how, and create new possibilities for cooperation.
The workshop series and concerts will be organised predominantly in collaboration with the Czech Museum of Music. Master classes and seminar in Norway will be organised primarily in collaboration with Fredrik Rasten Musikk. We will make an audio recording in cooperation with Czech Radio.
Summary of project results
The project supported the creation of new microtonal music compositions and made them accessible to the public via concert and educational activities in the Czech Republic and in Norway. It contributed to the presentation of the Czech music abroad and to the networking of CZ and NO Contemporary music professionals. The centre-point of the project was the sixth-tone harmonium, which we used in all the project activities.
3 compositions were created (Ian Mikyska: In, Fredrik Rasten: Concord, Ian Mikyska + Fredrik Rasten: Strands). They were presented live at 4 concerts (15. 10. 2021 concert MIKYSKA/HÁBA: SIXTH-TONE HARMONIUM Strings of Autumn Festival, 18. 12. 2021 Prague Quiet Music Festival, 19. 4. 2022 concert at JAMU, 2. 5. 2022 concert at Cappelens Forslag, Oslo, Norway). The compositions In and Strands were recorded and broadcasted in Czech Radio, the audio recordings are available online. The live performances of In and Concord were recorded and are available on YouTube. 2 sixth-tone harmonium master classes (19. 4. 2022 JAMU, Brno; 13. 5. 2022 HAMU, Prague), 4 Retune Ears workshops (12. 5. 2022 2x Czech Museum of Music, 9. and 23. 7. 2022 Moravian-Silesian Region), 1 networking seminar 2. 5. 2022 Oslo, Norway). The implementation of the activities lead to the introduction of the microtonal music and the sixth-tone harmonium to the general and expert public. The overall aim of the project was the support of contemporary art and making it accessible to the public. The number of new pieces was higher than initially planned thanks to the enthusiasm of the projec.t partners. The support of the development of the cultural professionals’ capacities was another objective of the project. It was developed via the educational activities and by the implementation of the project that involved a number of cultural professionals.
A unique historic instrument – the sixth-tone harmonium, was brought into the sphere of live art. The cooperation of the CZ and NO contemporary music professionals was strengthened. A new contemporary music platform Prague Quiet Music Collective was created. The sixth-tone harmonium got the music experts interested in the instrument and several new pieces and projects are currently being created. Prague Quiet Music Collective is establishing cooperation with NO ensembles and festivals.
Summary of bilateral results
Project promoter entered partnership with Fredrik Rasten Musikk (NO). This was essential for the successful implementation and publicity of the project. Fredrik Rasten collaborated on the new compositions and helped with the introduction of the project and its outputs to the Norwegian music professionals.There were 2 new Contemporary music compositions created and 2 live concerts organized in collaboration with the Norwegian project partner. The partner’s know-how was crucial for the successful organization of the event in Oslo and for the CZ–NO networking activities. He introduced project promoter to a number of Norwegian music professionals with whom we are currently starting to work on other projects that will introduce Czech music to the Norwegian audience and Norwegian music to the Czech audience.