Earthly Chants: Ned McGowan op dwarsfluit en contrabasfluit

Podium Pakhûs SOLO enters the summer whistling. On Friday evening 2 June, flutist and composer Ned McGowan will play the programme Earthly Chants. On flute, tape, contrabass flute and voice, McGowan will play his rhythmic virtuoso skills in a fast tempo.

Flutist and composer Ned McGowan (USA, 1970) is known for his rhythmically lively pieces and technically virtuoso playing. The concert at the Pakhûs on the Stienser Smelbrêge opens with McGowan's composition Earthly Chants: 1. The Singing Wall (2016). This piece was written for the large contrabass flute. Multi-voiced long sounds create a constant stream of sound. Within this, varying harmonies can be heard, nuanced by different articulations. With glissandos, among others, the effect is hypnotic.

A different way of listening is enforced in Come vengono prodotti gli incantesimi? by Italian composer Salvatore Sciarrino (*1947). His language consists of alienating sounds that verge on whispering. As a result, distortions occur and you hear new articulations on the flute.

Canto Catártico is a world premiere by Belgian composer Frank Nutys (*1957). His post-modernist style is characterised by layering and a constant groove. This results in rhythmically complex compositions. In McGowan's own Workshop (2004), the flute sounds with highly rhythmic precision interacting with mechanical sounds. These flow together to create a virtuoso workshop, as can also be heard on the album TOOLS.

Cycle Games reflects McGowan's main principles as a musician and composer. Namely that rhythm is one of the most expressive musical ingredients. And that the human voice is the most effective instrument to discover the meaning of art from. Namely, to show the possibilities of human existence.

The piece is a percussion duet for the voice. Central to it is the interaction between two rhythmic groups of 4 and 7, inspired by the Konnakol; a rhythmic form from Indian Carnatic music, which shares similarities with Hindustani music. Finally, Three Pieces by Igor Stravinsky (1882 - 1971) will be heard.

McGowan's works have been performed at Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw and at (flute) festivals around the world. McGowan plays classical, contemporary and improvised music. In 2016, he recorded the album The Art of the Contrabass Flute, developing his special love for the contrabass flute. He teaches composition and Advanced Rhythm and Pulse at the Utrechts Conservatorium and supervises Artistic Research at Codarts Hogeschool Rotterdam and Fontys Hogeschool voor de kunsten Tilburg. His research at Leiden University is about speed, frame and time in music.

The programme lasts 60 minutes and has no intermission. There will be coffee/tea beforehand and a drink afterwards. For the full programme, please visit: www.pakhuss