Marlies Debacker & Salima Javaid
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FEB 06 - RATAPLAN
The Mad Laboratory of Anti-Matter
Vanheerentals - Lasure - Beeckaert
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FEB 10 - DRESSING CIRCLES
Jan Boudart's Le Jardin Ultraviolet
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FEB 25 - DRESSING CIRCLES
Bernat Sanjuan Boronat
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MAR 06 - RATAPLAN
Rempis/Håker Flaten/Rosaly+ Warelis
Adilia Yip & AI Musicking
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MAR 11 - DRESSING CIRCLES
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MAR 25 - DRESSING CIRCLES
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Monday January 27th
Blauwmoezelstraat 9
2000 Antwerpen
Doors: 20u00
Start concerts: 20u30
Debacker/Javaid: Convolution (BE/DE)
Marlies Debacker - Hohner Clavinet D6
Salim(a) Javaid - saxophone
'Convolution' is the type of word that, when entered into a search engine, yields the type of explanation that makes one question whether they understand the language it is written in. Luckily, complex mathematics of this abstract order are much more understandable in tangible and sensible situations such as the phenomenon of reverb in an acoustic setting, the creation of sounds in electronic music and the type of synergy between pianist Marlies Debacker and reed player Salima Javaid. This is a great example of two advanced scholars in their respective fields of expertise, doing the thinking for us so that we can enjoy the fruits of their hard cognitive labor.
But not all music is mathematics. Hints of abstract pointillism and action painting are evoked in this remarkable duo that shows an almost extraterrestrial telepathy.
Convolution is an attempt to fuse saxophone and piano/clavinet into a meta-instrument. The music draws an inquisitive and melancholic portrait of shades reminiscent of the past - reverberations, echoes, resonances – and transforms them into musical material. They both distil influences from contemporary (chamber) music, free improvisation and electronics into a dense, dark soundscape full of tension. Memories of different playing styles, aesthetics and atmospheres serve as the basis for their music.
Both based in Cologne, they have been long-time collaborators since meeting as students at the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln, where they both now teach. Debacker, originally from Belgium, and Javaid, of Czech-Pakistani background, have played together at least since 2016 when Debacker founded the Trio Abstrakt, with percussionist Shiau-Shiuan Hung as its third member.
https://marliesdebacker.com
https://salimjavaid.com
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In the field of tension between height and depth, Imre De Cauter (on cello) and Matthias Dewilde (on Fender Rhodes) create their own universe in which, with a purified acoustic and electronic palette of sounds, they take the listener to another dimension, averse to time and space.
With the help of effect pedals and various playing techniques, Imre De Cauter (Myrddin) and Matthias Dewilde (Nagløed) merge the acoustic and electronic sound worlds. Coincidence, improvisation and minimal compositions are the starting point for this. The end result is a breathtaking experience, where, with your eyes closed, you can transcend reality for a moment on an intense inner journey.
Between the twists and cracks of the mountain, a human, round shape has emerged, stretching into the depths. The resulting sound focuses outwards and blends with the echo of its surroundings. In this created tension between height and depth, Matterhorn Well searches for its form, which translates live into ever-changing, new improvisations.
Their first album emerged on Icarus Records/Consouling Sounds on the occasion of a photography exhibition by Belgian visual artist Francis Vanhee, on whose work the cover is inspired. ‘Sketches for Francis’ arose from the improvisation sessions of Matthias Dewilde and Imre De Cauter who, struck by Vanhees’ carefully mutilated images, managed to perfectly reinterpret the colour and texture of his work musically. This pure and uninhibited primal form of the work has been preserved as much as possible and further developed into this release.