Klang Systematiek’s latest concert took place in the DOX+ Multi-Functional Hall in September, and the setup was anything but conventional. One piece by Steve Reich featured microphones suspended from the ceiling (Pendulum Music, 1968), while another by Philip Glass was a repetitive, atmospheric work (Music with Changing Parts, 1970). The seating was equally unconventional, with no traditional rows of chairs – audiences were encouraged to relax wherever they felt most comfortable, from laying down on the floor to beanbags.
How we experience music fascinates Davis, who emphasizes that the way we inhabit a space can shape the way we hear and feel the performance: “All of these things influence your perception. They influence the sound you hear and your own sense of comfort.”
Gareth Davis first performed in the Czech Republic in 2002 and has been returning ever since. Recently, he founded an ensemble based in Prague, bringing together musicians from across Europe. Prague as a meeting point makes sense to Davis, who sees the Czech Republic as an important crossroads at the heart of Europe, allowing it to “absorb influences from so many places and give influence to so many things.”
Davis is primarily a bass clarinettist and performs both classical and contemporary music, with the past 20 years focused on works from the last 50 years. While defining contemporary music can be complex, Davis describes it simply as the “music of now,” which can take on a myriad of forms. This approach is at the heart of Klang Systematiek, which brings contemporary music to life in its diverse forms. It also reimagines modern classics, with a focus on minimalism, offering audiences to experience them in a new light.
The ensemble’s next concert is on November 4th in Divadlo X10 and will feature compositions by Luigi Nono, renowned for his experiments with multi-channel electronic sound. As Davis explains: “Although he is recognized as an avant-garde contemporary composer, the actual sound world is like a vast ambient soundscape, floating in a strange space.” He adds that audiences need not worry about a marathon performance – unlike some concerts by the ensemble, it will not last three to four hours.
Listen to the full audio feature, with special samples of Klang Systematiek’s music.
Video of Klang Systematiek – Philip Glass: Music With Changing Parts
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source english.radio.cz ’
