Big Concert Night

Cello Octet Amsterdam (NL), Maki Namekawa (JP), Nick Verstand (NL)

https://ars.electronica.art/hope/en/events/bigconcertnight/ 

POSTCITY, Train Hall
   
 Fri 6. Sep 2024 19:30 – 22:00

Eight musicians and eight robots stand on stage, the human protagonists “embraced” by giant mechanical arms, forming a “robotic cocoon.” In the second part of the evening, the Cello Octet Amsterdam will perform together with pianist Maki Namekawa.

COCON is an audiovisual live performance featuring Cello Octet Amsterdam performing new compositions by composers Caterina Barbieri, Jesse Broekman, Kara-Lis Coverdale, Sarah Davachi and Qasim Naqvi and an arrangement by Abul Mogard & KMRU. The scenography is created by Nick Verstand and consists of eight robotic arms embracing the musicians on stage.

Please note! Tickets are sold out.

The mechanical cocoon slowly unfolds and ripples along with the music. Lights attached to the ends of the robotic arms illuminate both the musicians and the space, creating three-dimensional shapes in the air. The cocoon symbolizes Mother Earth’s embrace as a source for humanity, but at the same time represents our human addition to and destruction of that same source. This contrast is enhanced by the classical cellos that oppose the futuristic robotics. The latter behave as an autonomous entity on stage and interact with the musicians to create a tension arc of light, sound and kinetics.

Maki Namekawa and Cello Octet Amsterdam: Motion Pictures, Music from The Hours & Dracula by Philip Glass (arranged for Piano and Cello Octet by Michael Riesman), Visuals by Cori O‘Lan

For the second part of the concert, the eight cellists are joined by pianist Maki Namekawa to perform two works by Philip Glass under the title Motion Pictures. Michael Riesman has made a special arrangement of Philip Glass’ film scores for The Hours (2002) and the 1999 newly released film classic Dracula for the Cello Octet and Maki Namekawa.