THE FIFTH STRING
THE FIFTH STRING is an innovative and original solo concert program.
Through performing with his violin together with electronics, Samuel is discovering new musical dimensions
Each pieces contains the expression of a clear emotional state. The concert starts with Joy and then leads the audience through the emotions of Sadness, Anger and finally returns to Joy.
It is quite easy to describe a general state like those mentioned above. However, I have repeatedly found that it is difficult for people to describe the nuances of each of these feelings. The major emotional groups contain so many subtleties, that it is vitally important to master its vocabulary in order to become as close as possible to our senses.
For example, the Joy, described in the works of Henrik Strindberg and Cassandra Miller, has two very distinct facets. The first evokes lightness, radiance, speed, while the latter is more about serenity, calm and gratitude. We can therefore see that even though both compositions reflect joy, they offer a very different meaning.
The chaconne is an emblematic work from the violin repertoire. The evocation of sadness in Bach masterpiece is incredibly diverse. Whether afflicted, despaired or shaken and lonely, each variation gives way to new and distinct nuances. The central part is about acceptance. Tenderness turns into courage and then, after many emotions, we are lead to ecstatic wonder, we even forget the mention of loneliness. but this will only last for a while before sadness reappears.
While maintaining the narrative line of the concert, it is placed in the programme as a bridge between the past and the future through the Lorenzo Bianchi-Hoesch composition La nuit rouge (de ses paupières).
Indeed, La nuit rouge (de ses paupières) for violin and live electronics plunges the listner into an explosive sound universe thanks to a spatialised sound system installation. The composition goes beyond the limits of expression of one instrument by establishing a very close dialogue between the violin and its electronic double.
It is a challenging and virtuoso piece for the player offering new playing techniques, where the willingness to take on the character of both the soloist and performer on stage is vital.
The Fifth String
For solo violin and electronics
Henrik Strindberg (1954) Femte Strängen (The Fifth string) (v) 10’
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750) Chaconne de la 2ème partita BWV 1004 (v) 15’
Lorenzo Bianchi Hoesch (1973) La nuit rouge (de ses paupières) (v + electro) 13’
Cassandra Miller (1976) Daylonging, Slacktide: (v + enregistrement) 6’