The 7th edition of the Tauron Musica Electronica Nova Festival (MEN) was held from May 19-22, 2016, for the first time in its new home at the National Forum of Music (NFM) in Wrocław. This year’s theme was “Growing,” which corresponded to the motto of Wrocław European Capital of Culture 2016: “Spaces for Beauty.” According to Festival Artistic Director Elżbieta Sikora:
The programme is themed around the idea of breeding and coming into existence, so unequivocally communicated in the installation of Jean-Luc Hervé, changing a part of the concrete square in front of the NFM into verdure growing with music. The installation is related to a concert by the most famous ensemble specialising in contemporary music, Paris’s Ensemble Intercontemporain… [who,] on their only second visit to Poland, will perform the world premiere of the work commissioned by them from Agata Zubel, a Wrocław-based composer now already enjoying international fame.
Below are the details of the two premieres which happened during the Festival:
- May 20, “Confrontations” Concert: Piotr Roemer & Szymon Stanisław Strzelec – Duet for symphony orchestra and electronics* was performed by the NFM Wrocław Philharmonic with Piotr Roemer and Szymon Stanisław Strzelec – electronics and Michał Klauza – conductor
- May 21, “Inside-Outside” Concert: Agata Zubel – Double Battery for instrumental ensemble and augmented sound space** was performed by Ensemble intercontemporain with Guillaume Bourgogne – conductor
* Commissioned by the National Forum of Music
** Commissioned by Ensemble Intercontemporain
[Source: nfm.wroclaw.pl]