Tickets: € 27,50
Programme
György Kurtág
Kafka-Fragmente (1985-1987)
“With fearless technique, Motseri explores every corner of Kurtág’s extreme
sound world. When a waltz casually appears in the last movement, Motseri and
Puglia fill the space with more flair than a Viennese string orchestra. A
moment later, an abstract piece of Eastern European folk music thunders into
the dance hall, which the virtuoso Puglia draws out of his violin with ferocity
and passion. Motseri and Puglia play as if they share the same dream.”
De Volkskrant *****
You listen on the edge of your seat. The concerts of soprano Keren Motseri and violinist Joseph Puglia are always an experience. On stage they challenge each other to find drama in their dialogues, but also the subtlest nuances, if necessary on the edge of silence. A long-cherished wish comes true: they perform György Kurtág's Kafka Fragments. A masterpiece by the now 98-year-old Hungarian composer and an icon of the 20th century. The two musicians travelled to Budapest to spend several days working on the piece with the perfectionist Kurtág.
Deep layers
The Kafka Fragments consists of 40 short movements, each based on excerpts from letters, diaries and narrative prose by the Czech-Jewish writer Franz Kafka. The cycle is a deep, introspective journey into Kafka's world, exploring themes of isolation, alienation and existential angst. Kurtág's music reflects this world, each fragment an expression of its own emotion and mood.
Music that demands the utmost
The performance of the Kafka Fragments demands the utmost from both musicians. For the soprano, the music requires a wide vocal range, extreme dynamics and a wide range of expression to do justice to Kafka's texts. The violinist has to use a wide range of techniques, going beyond the conventions of traditional violin playing. Joseph Puglia and Keren Motseri more than meet these demanding requirements