The Hamburger Bahnhof was one of Berlin’s major terminus stations in the 19th century – a place of arrival, departure and transition. To this day, this history shapes the museum of contemporary art in the heart of Berlin. Like Berlin itself, the Hamburger Bahnhof is full of complexity and contrasts, with change as its constant.
Crossroads #7 Music Meets Art
Cage and Stockhausen meet in a scenic concert in the Historic Hall of Hamburger Bahnhof. In the extensive installation “We Make Years Out of Hours” by Lithuanian artist Lina Lapelytė, the Zafraan Ensemble works with singers from the opera ensemble to weave two of the composers’ works together: Cage’s “Hymns and Variations” (1979) uses the random thinning of religious hymns to illustrate the path “from something to nothing and back again,” while Stockhausen’s instrumental piece “Stop” (1965) generates an intense, physical experience of presence and energy from abruptly interrupted sound events. Based on these pieces, the installation itself becomes a score. Perception moves to the centre, the boundaries of listening are shifted – for both composers, the most important exercise for the salvation of humanity.
Concept, Musical Direction: Titus Engel
Stage Direction: Thom Luz
Soprano: Julieth Lozano
Zafraan Ensemble
Flute: Liam Mallett
Clarinet: Miguel Pérez Iñesta
Saxophone: Martin Posegga
Violin: Emmanuelle Bernard
Viola: Josa Gerhard
Cello: Martin Smith
Percussion: Daniel Eichholz
Piano: Clemens Hund-Göschel
Duration: approx. 60 minutes
Deutsche Oper Berlin in cooperation with Hamburger Bahnhof – Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart
With generous support of the Commerzbank-Stiftung. Presented by TAZ