Marin Alsop and the Philharmonia of London land in Barcelona to celebrate Gaudí's centenary with the premiere of Set Somnis de Gaudí, a work by Olivia Pérez-Collellmir. The concert at the Palau de la Música promises a fusion of modernist architecture and contemporary music, exploring the dreams of the Catalan genius through seven movements.
Modular score inspired by sacred geometry 🎵
The composer employs extended notation techniques and structures based on the golden ratio, replicating the inclined columns of the Sagrada Familia in rhythmic patterns. The work demands microtonal tuning in the strings and the use of metallic percussion evoking trencadís. Alsop has coordinated the synchronization with projections of Gaudí's original sketches, synchronized via a digital click track system.
What Gaudí dreamed and no one asked him 😅
If Gaudí woke up today, he would probably think his dream was a nightmare with musicians playing under LED screens. But at least the Philharmonia hasn't tried to build a sound model of La Pedrera with speakers. Pérez-Collellmir has avoided construction noise, which is already an achievement. Next up: a symphony inspired by traffic jams on the Diagonal.