The Malta Independent on Sunday
Connecting Contemporary Music with Video-Art
On Saturday 11 February, some of Malta’s top composers and visual artists will be joining forces with renowned international counterparts for Rhythms of Vision, a concert of 20th century and contemporary chamber music. Taking place within the grand setting of the Teatru Manoel as part of the Modern Music Days (MMD), this visual concert will portray the interdisciplinary arts scene that has emerged over the past couple of decades.
“Each piece in this programme has been assigned to a video artist, who has created a visual backdrop that will perfectly complement the live musical performance,” explains composer and artist Ruben Zahra, the artistic director of Modern Music Days, who will also be showcasing his work on the night.
Organised by Teatru Manoel in collaboration with Valletta 2018 and the Malta Association for Contemporary Music, Rhythms of Vision will include 10 pieces written by Maltese, Japanese, French, German-Argentinian, Dutch and American composers, to visual work by Maltese, Dutch, Polish and Ukrainian artists, making this concert a truly international work of art.
“Collaboration is an essential part of creating something new, particularly as Malta heads towards 2018 and Valletta takes on its status as European Capital of Culture,” continues Mr Zahra. “By bringing together not just people of different nationalities, but also people from different disciplines, we hope to inspire more people to work together and transcend physical and metaphorical boundaries.
“Moreover, MMD is committed to promoting the performance and understanding of 20th century repertoire and contemporary music in Malta, so we hope that this concert, which connects contemporary music with video-art, will motivate audiences to experience something new.”
Rhythms of Vision will also in- clude an educational element as, on Wednesday 8 February, the artists and composers involved will present their work at the University of Malta in collaboration with the Department of Digital Art and the Music Department, to students, fellow artists and any interested members of the public.
The programme of Rhythms of Vision will feature the music of composers John Galea, Karl Fiorini, Charles Camilleri, Ruben Zahra, Mauricio Kagel, Olivier Messiaen, Shoichi Yabuta, Makiko Kinoshita, Michael van der Aa and Scott McAllister. Visual artists Ritty Tacsum, Jean Pierre Gatt, Vince Briffa, Nigel Baldacchino, Aleksander Janicki, Leta Shtorr, Patrick Fenech, Trevor Borg, Ruben Zahra and Michael van der Aa will be creating the accompanying work. The musicians performing all 10 pieces on the night will be Godfrey Mifsud (clarinet), Nadine Galea (violin), Simon Abdilla Joslin (cello) and Tricia Dawn Williams (piano). Tickets for Rhythms of Vision, which will take place at Teatru Manoel in Valletta on Saturday 11 February at 8:30pm, are on sale now at www.teatrumanoel.com.mt For more information on Rhythms of Vision log onto: www.modernmusicdays.eu