Advertising

"Le Encantadas" by Olga Neuwirth at Wien Modern

Author: Wien Modern

Olga Neuwirth created an acoustic journey through an archipelago of sound in her masterpiece from 2014–2015 which was co-commissioned by Wien Modern.

  • Olga Neuwirth  | Copyright: © Olga Neuwirth: Priska Ketterer / San Lorenzo Venedig: Michele Paol / Montage Pentagram Berlin

    Olga Neuwirth © Olga Neuwirth: Priska Ketterer / San Lorenzo Venedig: Michele Paol / Montage Pentagram Berlin

«Encantadas», or the Enchanted Isles, was how Herman Melville described the Galapagos Islands in 1854, which according to legend can movLe. Olga Neuwirth created an acoustic journey through an archipelago of sound in her masterpiece from 2014–2015 which was co-commissioned by Wien Modern. It was «a fictional adventure novel through a range of different spatial acoustic effects». «The gaze – or in my case the ear – glides into the distance, across the sea. The islands of an archipelago lie before you, clearly outlined at first, almost tangible. But a little later, they have become no more than nebulous silhouettes, which become more and more diffuse with every millimetre that you pass by in your boat, leaving a trail of white keel spray behind.» (Olga Neuwirth)

That the 70-minute work can create such breathtaking mental images without using any pictures is not least due to sophisticated spatial acoustic technology: With the IRCAM in Paris, Olga Neuwirth was able to accurately capture the sounds of bells coming from all directions across the lagoon in her adopted home of Venice. The spatial acoustics of the Chiesa di San Lorenzo, in which she heard a performance of Luigi Nono’s Prometeo at the age of 16, were measured so accurately that they can be reproduced realistically in the Halle E using Ambisonic loudspeaker matrix. A key work of Olga Neuwirth, performed by Ensemble intercontemporain under its chief conductor Matthias Pintscher.

ADVERTISING

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN...

New European Songbook

ORF – Austrian Broadcasting Corporation

The New European Songbook is a multi-platform co-production from the ORF, BBC and EBU and celebrates the new music arising from a continent in flux.

Webern – Wagner – Stravinsky

Accentus Music

The first audiovisual DVD and Blu-ray release with Andris Nelsons and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig.

DVD: Don Quixote at the Vienna State Opera

Wiener Staatsoper

Experience the exquisite live ballet performance of Don Quixote at the Vienna State Opera on DVD

DVD + Blu-Ray: Wagner: Die Walküre/Osterfestspiele Salzburg, 2017

C Major Entertainment

“Re-creation” of Karajan’s musico-theatrical vision of the masterwork, with which the legendary Maestro opened the very first Easter Festival in 1967.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE IMZ MAILINGS


Benefit from exclusive insights + opportunties with a thematic variety of IMZ Mailings to choose from.

By clicking "SUBSCRIBE" you consent that your data can be processed by the IMZ International Music + Media Centre for the purposes of processing your inquiry.