Challenging times call for small mental oases. One proven way to find them? Music! Since 2002, thanks to the Berliner Festspiele, we can look forward to musical escapism in early spring; MaerzMusik takes us sonically to regions within ourselves that might otherwise be less explored. The preface to the Festival für Zeitfragen puts it aptly: “In view of the uncertainty, vulnerability and transformations that characterize our present, we want to raise the question of how we can relate in different and diverse ways”. Well said. But what does it sound like? The opportunity to find out is already offered by the opening on 18.03. (two slots: starting at 17 & 21h) in the spacious Gropius Bau with a temporary garden with maze-like paths… Inside, you can stroll for three hours to sounds and musical archipelagos in the atrium, corridors and exhibition spaces – including Satch Hoyt’s “Hair Combing Circle 1884-1885 (2017/2022)” a piece for 18 performers. Here you’ll find “The Circle Flute” performances by Klangforum Wien with solo-works by Rebecca Saunders, Georges Asperghis, Toshio Hosokawa, and Salvatore Sciarrino. Music doesn’t just move the brain, it’s for the body too.
The day after the opening, the impressive work of African-American musician and Fluxus artist, the late Benjamin Patterson, will be heard elsewhere: at Savvy Contemporary, his work will be reflected and honored with performances, lectures, and film screenings, reinterpreted by scholars, artists and curators. Original scores and objects will be seen and heard alongside compositions, performances and videos. The extensive Patterson archive comes into action in this multidisciplinary curatorial approach from Bonaventure Soh Bejeng Ndikung, Kamila Metwaly and Berno Odo Polzer. Another highlight of this year’s program is the tribute to 90-year-old sound pioneer Éliane Radigue. Her work will be brought to life and includes a live presentation of her musical creations, with the 17-part concert cycle under the sound direction of François J. Bonnet, alias Kassel Jaeger, at the Zeiss-Großplanetarium. A minimalist electroacoustic milestone. The festival finale sounds equally promising: the closing weekend of 26.03. and 27.03. is themed “Field Recording”, with some audible surprises awaiting you around Weddinger Nettelbeckplatz… A festival like Berlin itself: diverse, multi-layered and surprising.
Text: Nike Wilhelms / Photos: Rui Camilo, Luca Girardin & Gregor Pfeffer
MaerzMusik – Festival für Zeitfragen will take place from 18-27.03.2022 at ten different locations. Tickets, current hygiene protection measures and further information are available online.
@berlinerfestspiele
