This Saturday and Sunday in the cultural space of downtown Buenos Aires, the group directed by Pablo Druker will perform pieces by Grisey, Bertrand, and Kokoras, and will premiere two Argentine works.
This Saturday, September 7, at 8:30 PM and Sunday, September 8, at 6:30 PM, the Contemporary Music Arthaus Ensemble will offer two concerts of great complexity. Following a successful presentation at the Teatro Colón, the group moves to its venue at Bartolomé Mitre 434 to perform challenging works from the contemporary repertoire.
Under the direction of Pablo Druker, a cast of ten musicians will tackle demanding pieces such as “Talea or the Machine and the Mad Herbs” by Gérard Grisey and “Satka” by Christophe Bertrand. Both French compositions are accompanied by “Crama,” a work by the Greek Panayiotis Kokoras, and the Argentine premieres of “Lo podrido” by Iván Knees and “Ruá” by Agustina Crespo and Ignacio Gómez Bustamante.
These concerts stand out not only for the technical complexity of the presented works but also for the diversity of sounds. The fast-paced “Satka” by Bertrand is characterized by its millimetric precision, while Grisey’s “Talea” is already considered a classic of the 20th century. On the other hand, “Crama” by Kokoras proposes a sonic experience where the instruments transform into true sonic propellers.
The Argentine premieres promise an innovative approach. “Lo podrido” by Knees incorporates atmospheric and coloristic elements that explore the essence of recent creation. “Ruá,” by Crespo and Gómez Bustamante, combines live performance with musical ensemble, integrating actor Diego Starosta under Gómez Bustamante’s direction.
The cast for these concerts includes talented musicians such as Amalia Pérez (flute), Federico Landaburu (clarinet), Pablo Boltshauser (electric guitar), Bruno Lo Bianco (percussion), Marcelo Balat (piano), Grace Medina and Lucía Herrera (violins), Mariano Malamud (viola), Marina Arreseygor and Bruno Bragato (cellos), and Julián Medina (double bass). This diverse group of performers, along with the special appearance of Starosta, promises a rich and multifaceted experience.
The concert program reflects the diversity in the instrumental formations of each work. For example, “Satka” by Bertrand is arranged for flute, clarinet, marimba, piano, violin, and cello; while “Lo podrido” by Knees uses electric guitar, percussion, piano, violin, viola, cello, and double bass. “Crama” by Kokoras features flute, clarinet, piano, violin, viola, and cello. Finally, “Ruá” by Crespo includes an actor, clarinet, viola, and cello, and “Talea” by Grisey will be performed with flute, clarinet, piano, violin, and cello.
The Arthaus Ensemble was founded in late 2022 by a group of musicians dedicated to contemporary experimental music, and since its inception, it has sought to stand out for the quality and originality of its interpretations. This group includes top soloists such as Amalia Pérez on flute, Michelle Wong on oboe, Federico Landaburu and Matías Tchicourel on clarinets, among other outstanding musicians. The ensemble has established itself as a reference in the regional music scene due to its multidisciplinary approach that combines music, image, technology, and dance.
The first concert of the Arthaus Ensemble took place in March 2023 at its venue in ArtHaus Central, and since then, it has premiered significant works in Argentina such as “Las psicodélicas tres lecciones del Professor Bad Trip” by Fausto Romitelli and “Solstices” by Georg Friedrich Haas, a piece that requires being performed in complete darkness and lasts seventy minutes. These highlighted presentations have solidified the ensemble as a cutting-edge institution in the field of contemporary music.
With a consistent monthly programming at its venue, the Arthaus Ensemble not only presents concerts but also annually premieres the winning works of the ArtHaus Composition Competition. This initiative supports and promotes Argentine composers through a commissioning policy aimed at enriching the contemporary repertoire. Tickets for these concerts are available through Alternativa Teatral and can also be purchased at the door on the day of the performance.