Much contemporary music challenges—or even completely dismantles—traditional conventions about, for example, what a score should look like, how instruments should be used, and even what music is in the first place. This evening, Musikklubben asks: What is classical music today? And what is ‘classical’ about classical music today? Does it make sense to place contemporary music within the same tradition as traditional classical music? What role does tradition play in the future?
The evening’s guests are composer and musician Christian Winther Christensen, violinist Christina Åstrand, and moderating the conversation is music critic Henrik Friis.
Like a Janus head, Christian Winther Christensen’s music looks back through history while remaining absolutely present. His compositions engage with tradition without becoming either destructive or nostalgic. Drawing inspiration from, among others, Helmut Lachenmann’s musique concrète instrumentale and György Ligeti’s fondness for mechanical devices, Christensen creates music that explores the physicality and tactility of instruments. New ways of using the instruments produce pounding, scratching, brushing, and blowing sounds, from which fragments of melodies, scattered figures, and harmonies suddenly emerge. In addition to composing, Christian Winther Christensen works as an organist at Frederiksberg Church.
Christina Åstrand is a remarkable and versatile violinist, whether as a soloist, chamber musician, or in the Danish National Symphony Orchestra, where she has served as concertmaster since winning the highly coveted position in 1993 at the age of 22. Her repertoire in both solo concertos and chamber works ranges from classical masterpieces to contemporary music, and she is known for her always compelling and personal interpretations. Åstrand has collaborated with and premiered numerous works by Danish composers, both as a chamber musician and a soloist. These include established artists such as Hans Abrahamsen, Per Nørgård, and Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen, as well as composers from the younger generation such as Allan Gravgaard Madsen.
Henrik Friis holds a degree in Musicology from the University of Copenhagen and is currently a music critic for, among others, the daily newspaper Politiken. Drawing on the panelists’ own practices and reflections, Friis will guide a conversation that opens up the world of contemporary classical music to the audience.
Time and place
6 May, 19:00 at Kulturhuset KU.BE, Frederiksberg (DK)
Please note, the conversation will be in Danish.
Musikklubben
Musikklubben is a community initiated by Edition·S and Dacapo Records, and centered around new classical music in Denmark. Our ambition is to bring listeners, musicians, and composers closer to one another—and to the music itself. Throughout the year, we host a series of conversations exploring different themes related to classical music.
Learn more about Musikklubben at www.musikklubben.dk