The aim of Stegreif – The Improvising Symphony Orchestra is to show what a contemporary orchestra can (also) look like. The international musicians combine symphonic music with improvisation and influences from other musical genres in radical recompositions and involve the audience in original spatial concepts.
To mark the 200th anniversary of Anton Bruckner's birth, the ensemble is seeking to engage with this great symphonist of the Romantic period and is working on a genre-spanning recomposition of his Symphony No. 7 in E major. Almost exclusively known today as a composer of symphonies and sacred works in the concert repertoire, Bruckner was particularly famous during his lifetime for his organ improvisations. The Stegreif Orchester will combine symphonic music and improvisation, these two elements typical of Bruckner, and present the 'Seventh' with improvisational freedom and chamber music lightness. The 30 or so musicians will expand the sound of the symphonic orchestra to include saxophone, drumset, electric guitar and, last but not least, the use of their own voices. Bruckner's 'Seventh' in particular, which contains quotes from his Te Deum as well as echoes of Richard Wagner's musical language, invites the audience to explore the areas of tension between symphonic and vocal music.
In the here and now, by heart, without a conductor and therefore freely moving in space, a performance is created that breaks down the boundaries between composition and improvisation as well as those between performers and listeners and allows the compositional legacy of the jubilarian to shine in a completely new light.
Anton Bruckner (1824–1896)
Symphony No. 7 in E major, WAB 107 (1881-83) arranged and recomposed by Alistair Duncan (* 1991) [world premiere]
Stegreif – The Improvising Symphony Orchestra
Juri de Marco, Lorenz Blaumer | General artistic direction
Alistair Duncan | Recomposition & Arrangement
Franziska Ritter | Direction, scenography
Vito Walter | Lighting design
For concertgoers, a concert introduction will take place in the foyer/middle hall at 17:00 (free admission).