Season 2009-2010

This concert, organised by the Ircam, is the first segment of the "Pulse"" cycle. It brings together pieces by composers who studied at the Ircam and who have done outstanding work on rhythm, pulsation and polyphony.

Christophe Bertrand continues his exploration of the world of micropolyphony in Satka, inspired by his love of Gyorgy Ligeti's work. This dense and highly rhythmical virtuoso music keeps the performers on constant alert. The music undergoes a process of transformation through an interplay of subtle rhythmic phasing and de-phasing, as well as through its use of the micro-tuning that creates its distinctive character.

Hans-Peter Stubbe analysis of sound and constant recourse to technology and calculation helped him invent rhythmical structures and polyphonies somewhere between macrophony and microphony. The relationship between the instrument and electronics is explored to such an extent that the point of contact between the two is often blurred. The composer strives to produce richly timbred, flowing textures in this introspective music that makes the listener forget the passage of time.

Sébastien Gaxie, who is as comfortable in the world of jazz as in "contemporary" composition, is represented by a new work for ensemble and electronics in which he continues the exploration of rhythm and polyrhythm that has characterised his work since Speed. In this piece, the long, six-speed rhythmic process resulting from work with machines does not detract from the music's sensuality. As Gérard Grisey might have put it, this incisive trance music occupies terrain somewhere "between delirium and structure".

Gyorgy Ligeti's celebrated Bagatelles for wind quintet, written in 1953 when he was 30, will be performed alongside the work of established young contemporary composers. Despite its classical post-Bartok style, Bagatelles can be considered as an attempt at "perverting" rhythmical models, and typifies Ligeti's compositions up to the time of his famous Etudes for piano.

Information :
Ircam, 1 Place Igor Stravinsky 75004 Paris
Cost: from 5 to 14 euros
Reservations: Ircam - 01 44 78 12 40