Immersive concert: Echoes of War

Echoes of War is a concert that takes the audience into the emotional aftermath of war. It is not the events themselves that take centre stage, but what lingers: tension, unrest, memories and the search for peace. With a line-up of string quartet and electronics, a sound world is created that completely envelops the audience. The repertoire reflects the emotional world and themes at its heart. Works by contemporary composers Bryce Dessner, Julia Wolfe, Nicole Lizée, Bobby Ge and Anna Meredith resonate strongly on an emotional level: grand and powerful, but also unsettling and sometimes uncomfortable. Some of the composers have experienced war themselves. The Armenian composer Komitas Vardapet was deported during the genocide at the beginning of the 20th century, which had a profound impact on his life and work. The Ukrainian composer Zoltan Almashi dedicated his composition Maria’s City (Mariupol) to the city and its inhabitants following the widespread destruction during the Russian invasion. He wrote the work in a bomb shelter during the bombardments, resulting in a compelling string quartet in which both pain and resilience can be heard. The arrangements of William Byrd and Antonio Vivaldi represent a healing and reflective dimension. Echoes of War is intended as an intense yet meaningful experience: a live concert that moves, stays with you and invites reflection — even after the audience has left the concert hall.