BRIT POP

This programme is dedicated to British music represented by works from two generations. In 1984, Harrison Birtwistle wrote “Secret Theatre”, a work that was conceptually inspired by Robert Graves’ poem of the same name: it describes the night and all of its incomprehensible processes. A cantus firmus is placed in the foreground, accompanied by the constant, unshakeable continuum of world order. The secrets behind “Secret Theatre” will be illuminated by Thomas Meyer’s sonic analysis, a long-standing collaboration about which we are overjoyed!

The work of British-born and Zurich-based Edward Rushton has a strong connection to music theatre: many new operas of his have been performed at important establishments. A perfect opportunity to commission him for a new work inspired by “Secret Theatre”! To quote Rushton: “To share the concert programme with “Secret Theatre” by Birtwistle is great honour. This piece blew me away when I first heard it 25 years ago at the Aldeburgh Festival. Birtwistle represents for me the pinnacle of British new music composition: he is something of a god, be he although somewhat stern. This doesn’t however make me any less keen on sharing this programme with him, for I would like to compose something that renders any comparison unnecessary.

Design by Kaspar Allenbach

ensemble proton bern

• conductor Matthias Kuhn

• flute Bettina Berger

• oboe Martin Bliggenstorfer

• clarinet Richard Haynes

• bassoon Elise Jacoberger

• french horn Deepa Goonetilleke

• trumpet Friederike Huy

• trombone Jon Roskilly

• harp Vera Schnider

• piano Samuel Fried

• percussion Brian Archinal

• violin Daniella Strasfogel

• violin Alicja Pilarczyk

• viola Laurent Camatte

• violoncello Jan-Filip Ťupa

• double bass TBA