Ensemble 2e2m

Photo © Elie Kongs

Spectral music (musique spectrale) emerged in the 1970s almost simultaneously in France, Germany and Rumania. Reacting against serialism, composers like Hugues Dufourt, Gérard Grisey and Tristan Murail sought a return to sound as matière, determined to mine dynamic elements out of its structure, timbre and acoustic behaviour.

The result: acoustically rich, technically innovative compositions of considerable finesse. Spectral music cannot be called a ‘school’ in the strict sense of the word; rather, it is a compositional stance and the bringer into being of some of the most exhilarating works of recent decades.

Playing in Athens for the first time, the 2e2m ensemble, which this year celebrates forty years of dedication to contemporary music, and its leader, Pierre Roullier, a key figure in Europe’s new music, will be highlighting the central role played by French composers in the history of spectral music, and their continued importance today. The concert therefore features works by spectral pioneers as well as more recent composers.

There will be a short pre-concert presentation of the works by the performers. Language: French/Greek

Program

Tristan Murail (b. 1947)
“Paludes”

Laurent Martin (b. 1959)
“Séraï”

Gérard Grisey (1946-1998)
“Périodes”

Francesco Filidei (b. 1973)
“Concertino d’autumno”

Franck Bedrossian (b. 1971)
“It”