Calendar of Music Events

Estonian-based contemporary music festival »Afekt« presents a two-part concert in Berlin’s Emmaus-Kirche. Titled »Border State« – a phrase with an exceptionally strong field of meaning at the current moment, involves multiple connotations: border state as a geographical term, but also referring to complex musical ideas carried to the extreme border areas of contemporary music, such as those exploring microtonality and rational intonation/extended just intonation.
Despite the uniqueness by being positioned at the border areas, this music searches for a dialogue, focusing on the common denominators of these separate but distinct aesthetical voices. Is a cross-border dialogue possible?
In between the two halves of the concert, the composers and musicians will briefly discuss the music and give their thoughts on the works performed.
The concert features works by Catherine Lamb, Jānis Petraškevičs, Helena Tulve, Thomas Nicholson, Monika Mattiesen, Ülo Krigul, Elis Hallik and Liisa Hirsch.
 
Program:
 
Monika Mattiesen – “In Nest” (2023) for violin, prepared piano and live electronics
 Helena Tulve – “Awe” (2023) for violin and piano
 Sarah Saviet (violine), Joe Houston (piano) 
 
Jānis Petraskevics – “Strāvas” (2022) for flute and piano
Ülo Krigul – “streeeeeech” (2021) for bass flute, prepared piano and tape
Monika Mattiesen (flute), Michael Wendeberg (piano)
 
Elis Hallik – “Doch manchmal…” for soprano, alto and bass flute and live elctronics
Sirje Aleksandra Viise (soprano), Monika Mattiesen (alto flute)
 
Composers talk
 
Thomas Nicholson – “Minimal Surface II” (2023) for flutes, voice, cello, viola, violin, double bass
 Liisa Hirsch – “Quantum Well” (2020) for prepared piano
 Liisa Hirsch – “4 Glides” (2014) for piano, flutes, violin, viola, double bass, cello
 Catherine Lamb – “Additive Arrow” (2021/2022) for 1/4 tone bass flute, cello, synth
 
Harmonic Space Orchestra 
Accomplice: Sander Saarmets (electronics)

More info: Afekt Festival