Music and meditation – that is what this programme is all about. The music of Rutger Muller (Geleen, 1984) fits perfectly with the idea of a meditative concert featuring the Fokker organ. The electroacoustic composer creates calmly shifting soundscapes from elements of classical music, ambient, techno and free improvisation. He composes intuitively, listening almost like a DJ to whether sounds work together or not. Since his focus lies more on the colour and inner motion of sound than on melody or harmony, his music invites a meditative state of listening. Muller’s work unfolds like a slowly changing film, a theatrical ritual of experience imbued with the mystical tranquillity of a moment in nature.
In addition to being an experience, Muller’s music is also music to truly listen to. It allows for a certain form of meditation, but through its evolving movements the listener may suddenly lose their sense of direction – truly becoming ‘Lost in meditation‘. While the overall sound remains within the mystical, it can at times become grippingly tense with moments of dissonance.
The subtle microtonal possibilities of the 31-tone organ are perfectly suited to Muller’s meditative, ambient sound sculptures. He has therefore written a new work especially for the Fokker organ, which will receive its premiere this morning. Muller will be joined by recorder player Dodó Kis and cellist Wen Chin Fu, who will contribute live improvisations. For those in the audience who wish to immerse themselves fully in meditation, cushions and rugs will be placed in front of the rows of chairs, allowing them to experience the concert in a truly contemplative way.