POETICA

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Situated within the realms of past, present and future, percussionist and vocalist Steven Schick occupies a central yet fluid role, his performance shifting between intimate, microscopic timbres and an expansive, cacophonous system of tones. Four members of Les Percussions de Strasbourg introduce a subtle macrocosm of sound, enveloped by layers of pre-recorded strings, electronics and protest recordings from Paris, Tel Aviv and the USA. This layered soundscape underscores a dynamic interplay between inner and outer worlds of sound, blurring the boundaries between them. “The piece is a meditation on attempting to find a point of clarity and solace in a harsh, unpredictable and indecipherable reality”, says Czernowin. “It’s initiated by breathing and brings the power of breath to the fore.”

Structurally, “POETICA” builds a “palace of memory” consisting of three sonic-story “floors”. On the first floor, the soloist constructs an expansive and suspended soundscape void of temporality, only to have it all dismantled by a sudden catastrophe. The second floor is dedicated to movement and modulation, to distorted memories and sometimes consoling oblivion. The last floor takes place throughout the space, but also seems to come from outside and from afar. An intricate relationship is created between the interiority and exteriority of sound, and immersion consistently invites the listeners to almost be within the music itself.

Rather than relying on melody or rhythm, Czernowin’s composition emphasises detailed textures and subtle sonic nuances, evoking an intricate sense of vulnerability and sensitivity. “POETICA” offers an abstract narrative – a reflection of the fragility and sensitivity inherent in human expression, focusing on the quiet, almost imperceptible qualities of sound that can evoke deep emotional responses. She reveals that the title refers to a poetic form that offers a narrative without explicitly telling a story – much like the work itself, which suggests emotion and experience through aural perception rather than direct communication.