On 16 and 17/11, 2023 I had the immense pleasure to closely collaborate and co-lead a unique performance of several of Anthony Braxton’s composition for Creative Orchestra with none other than the Ictus Ensemble, Brussels Philharmonic and conductor Ilan Volkov. The performance involved three conductors, with Volkov as main conductor, and myself as second conductor (also playing e-guitar in the ensemble), allowing for Braxton’s unique holistic approach of combining and superimposing several compositions and Language Music improvisations in an orchestral context. We performed Compositions No. 151, No. 147 and No. 63, in addition to smaller peces from the quartet books (played by the Ictus musicians) No. 69Q, 40F, 6F and 23H. We played two concerts, on 16/11 at Concertgebouw Brugge and on 17/11 at DE SINGEL International Arts Center in Antwerp. The performance was part of a larger program under the title “Forces in Motion” which also featured Diamonds for 1, 2 or 3 Orchestras by Alvin Lucier and the incredible piece Six scenes for Turntables and Orchestra by Mariam Rezaei and Matthew Shlomowitz (in which I also played e-guitar). Below is a short trailer of the event and some pics.
