In 1978 Morton Feldman composed 'Why Patterns?', a first of three pieces for flute, piano and glockenspiel. In this rare instrumental combination, each instrument has a very defined sound identity and physical playing style. Feldman responds to this by assigning characteristic motifs to each of the musicians. Paradoxically enough, we hear these totally emancipated patterns merge into a harmonious sounding, psychedelic sound universe. The way in which Feldman deals with time also contributes to this alienating atmosphere. Even though the individual voices are rhythmically very accurately notated, they are uncoordinated, except in the final phase of the work. In this free temporal space, the voices only meet by chance.
Het Collectief asked two composers, who both have a strong affinity with Feldman's oeuvre, to write new works for the same unique line-up.
David Fennessy (IRL - °1976) about his music: “I’m not sure if there is a consistent line of inquiry running through my work. Each piece is its own little universe with its own technique, language, rules, problems and solutions.” One of his more recent works: 'Panopticon' (2019) for cymbalom and strings, struck a chord with Het Collectief because of its great sound sensitivity and a free and very original approach to the physical characteristics of the instruments.
Since 2000, the cycle 'Lettres soufis' has stood out in the oeuvre of the Belgian composer Jean-Luc Fafchamps (B - °1960). He uses Sufi philosophy as a starting point for 28 different compositions, as many as there are letters in the Arabic alphabet. The new composition for Het Collectief may also become part of this cycle in the making. Fafchamps about 'Lettres Soufis': “My preference for paradoxical constructions and a multidirectional sense of synthesis are freely expressed there”. Fafchamps indeed succeeds time and time again in bringing together the irreconcilable and from an original idea to build a surprisingly attractive world that far transcends the well-trodden paths of contemporary music.
For the visuals we approached Klaas Verpoest (B - °1975), who was already responsible for beautiful projections at our previous Feldman concerts. This time the images are projected on a scrim around the musicians.
Het Collectief
Toon Fret, flute
Thomas Dieltjens, piano
Tom De Cock, percussion
Klaas Verpoest, video performance (option)
Calendar
2025.04.01 De Link Tilburg (NL)
2025.04.05 New Music Festival Dublin (IRL)
2025.05.20 TivoliVredenburg Utrecht (NL)
2026.02 Kortrijk Festival (B)