Who’s afraid of small intervals? With this new programme, Ensemble SCALA continues to strike the (micro)tone by performing compositions that are all based on a different division of the octave. Thus, alongside the fifth-tones of the 31-tone system, one will also hear the quarter-tones of the 24-tone system, the third-tones of the 19-tone system, the twelfth-tones of the 72-tone system, the sixteenth-tones of the 96-tone system, and the completely pure tones of the harmonic series. A concert full of microtones, then. But is this something to be afraid of? Judging by the series of intriguing works that will be performed, there is certainly nothing to fear.
The programme includes a beautiful modern classical work by the American composer Ezra Sims, entitled Night Piece, and the restrained yet thrilling Rapprochement by the Dutch composer Arnold Marinissen, which will be performed again. In addition, The Juggler by the American composer Aaron Krister Johnson will be played. Although an electronic version of this curious, almost neo-Baroque 19-tone work is already known, this acoustic performance for harpsichord and flute will be its true premiere.
Also featured is the premiere of Ancient Wisdom by the Romanian/Finnish composer Sebastian Dumitrescu, who has written a work with ten quarter-tones based on the Mohajira, a meantone tuning in which the fifth is divided into two neutral thirds. The concert begins with resounding tones based on the additive chords of Prof. Adriaan Fokker, in a guided improvisation by Melle Weijters (entitled Improspectrum) for the full ensemble. It is played in a pure tuning, which in English is referred to as just intonation.
Following this concert will be the CD presentation of Arnold Marinissen, featuring, among other works, his composition for Ensemble SCALA.