To mark the 100th birthday of Iannis Xenakis - the Greek composer is one of the most important and original innovators of music in the second half of the 20th century - the Wiener Festwochen have invited the French choreographer Emmanuelle Huynh to confront the iconic work Kraanerg with her own artistic vision. Originally written in 1968 as ballet music for 23 instruments and a tape recorder, the title, composed of two Greek words, stands for the hopes of a revolting youth for a change in political, social and ideological systems. Under the direction of Sylvain Cambreling, Klangforum Wien sets the condensed masses of sound in motion, loud and furious. Huynh works closely with lighting designer Caty Olive on the scenic version. Together, they give the extraordinary composition a multidisciplinary framework, in line with the visions of Xenakis. A concert full of energy and resistance. And numerous utopias.
Text: Wiener Festwochen
Photo: Reinhold Friedl