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Description
The project Music for Lights and Shadows will give eight composers the possibility to create a brand new concert program inspired by the works of Norwegian photographers (Christopher Johassen, Tine Poppe, Espen Tollefsen, Tom Sandberg and others). The feature composers will be members of the group Prague Six (M. Brunner, L. Soukup, Š. Balcarová, J. Jirucha, V. Křišťan, T. Sýkora), J. Mazura and Helge Sunde who will continuously give feedback to the other composers. The Norwegian trombonist Helge Sunde is an internationally renowned composer in the field of modern rhythmical music.
There is a high chance of creating a concert program of supreme quality under H. Sunde''s supervision. The premiere concert will happen at the multifunctional concert hall Dox+. A few days later, the music will be performed at two Czech prestigious jazz festivals, JazzFestBrno and Jazz Goes to Town in Hradec Kralove. The fourth and last concert will be at the well-known Norwegian venue Victoria Nasjonal Jazzscene in Oslo. The originality of the project lies in the effort to expand the repertoire of modern music written for an unusual size of jazz orchestra (in this case: nine-piece horns section, string quartet, piano, bass, drums, electronics, vocal).
The project will enrich the cultural offer in individual metropolises and also has the potential to attract a broader audience because it connects with visual arts (screening of the photographs connected with the play of lights and shadows at the scene). Technicians working with lights and a projector will be present at the rehearsals and they will follow a pre-prepared script.
Summary of project results
The project created a unique Norwegian-Czech relationship, thanks to which a group of 7 Czech composers gained long-term experience from the icon of Norwegian jazz composition Helge Sunde. The project was very inspiring for the members of the Concept Art Orchestra as Norwegian partner led and conducted the orchestra. The challenge was the amout of agendas associated with the project, but there were neither problems during the implementation nor in musical/artistic point of view.
A group of seven Czech composers and Helge Sunde created a series of musical compositions of approximately 85 minutes. At the same time, Helge played the role of musical director and mentor. The project resulted in 3 Czech concerts (in Prague, Brno, Hradec Králové) and 1 Norwegian concert (Oslo). They were accompanied by a large-scale projection of photographs by 8 different Norwegian photographers. An audio recording of the Prague premiere was made by Czech Radio and a video recording is in the final stages of production. The project offered the audience a unique multimedia programme. At the same time, it broadened the horizons of seven Czech composers. It was also the biggest project the Concept Art Orchestra has realized so far. The media response has strengthened and expanded the ensemble''s position on the Czech scene. The project set a new standard for the ensemble''s future activities.
The project result was 4 concerts, an audio recording for Czech Radio and a video recording. The unique multimedia programme was heard live by over 1,000 listeners and hundreds more online. No one has ever realized a similar project on the Czech jazz scene. Composers, orchestra members and the project team gained the experience and know-how. Cooperation with a renowned artist has made the orchestra more visible on an international level, which is one of the long-term goals.
The aim of the project was to create an extraordinary work of art, performed by top performers, live for a wide audience and also recorded. At the same time, the project aimed to improve the skills of Czech composers. All this was successfully achieved and have a long-term impact.
Summary of bilateral results
The Norwegian partner - composer Helge Sunde - was the central figure of the project. His supervision of the project, his participation as a composer and his conducting of the orchestra significantly raised its musical and artistic level. Thanks to his extensive experience, he also helped to solve some technical issues (stage layout, projections) and helped with the organisation of the concert in Oslo (loan of instruments). He was also the main face of the project - the promotion was built on his participation. The cooperation with him was smooth, friendly and professional at the same time.