Rhythmic brutality in Les Noces and other works
In Stravinsky's Les Noces, four tableaus featuring "choreographed scenes with music and voices" depict the ritual of a Russian peasant wedding. Austere, stylized, and razor-sharp. The music combines rhythmic brutality with a captivating power, evoking both the timelessness and the inexorability of that ritual. For this performance of Les Noces , Cappella Amsterdam has chosen the 1919 instrumentation, with cimbaloms, harmonium, and pianola.
The playful Circus Polka also emphasizes Stravinsky's masterful use of rhythm and timbre. The program also includes other works for pianola and harmonium, which demonstrate not only Stravinsky's experimental drive but also the diverse timbres that make his work so unique.
Introductory lecture
Before the concert, you'll hear an introduction to the pianola by Kasper PJ Janse of the Pianola Museum in Amsterdam. This will consist of an introduction followed by a demonstration on an authentic pianola from the museum.
