Composer in residence at Cordes-sur-Ciel
Medieval city Cordes-sur-Ciel in the mist. Composer’s picture.
Justina Repečkaitė is a composer in residence at Festival Cordes-sur-Ciel 53rd edition, which took place from July 19-25, 2024. Previously, composers like Henri Dutilleux, Jonathan Harvey, Michael Levinas, Clara Iannotta were invited to the festival. Repečkaitė had 5 compositions played in the program of the festival, presented her music on several occasions, and gave an interview to the radio.
Timeline
July 20 at Jardin des Paradis
Incantare (2018) for flute and tape, performer Julie Huguet.
July 21 at Théâtre Le Colombier
Summa perfectionis (2024) for contrabassoon, performer Antoine Pecqueur. Commission of Festival Festival Cordes-sur-Ciel.
“L'ATELIER de Justina Repečkaité” - presentation of Summa perfectionis together with the performer and festival director Antoine Pecqueur. Composer describes her piece:
“The composition Summa perfectionis was born from my collaboration with Antoine Pecqueur, who introduced me to this enigmatic instrument: the contrabassoon. For me, the very low register of the contrabassoon is profoundly mysterious. It is, after all, the lowest-pitched instrument in the orchestra. The composition primarily explores this low register but also uses the fundamental notes' fingerings to produce high harmonics (harmonic overtones) with minimal air pressure.
The language of the composition focuses on fragile and unstable sounds, powerful multiphonics—some of which have a distinctly metallic character—and sounds resulting from two notes played simultaneously.
The title refers to the work Summa perfectionis magisterii (The Sum of Supreme Perfection), written between 1270 and 1300 by Pseudo-Geber, a Franciscan monk from Assisi. Summa perfectionis is a cornerstone of medieval alchemy. Its fourth book discusses the elixir or medicine corresponding to different metals, as well as methods for testing metals, such as determining the purity of gold or detecting falsification.
In my imagination, the instability of alchemical processes is mirrored in the contrasts within the sounds of my composition, which I associate with explosion and evaporation. Furthermore, in its design, the contrabassoon—unlike the classical bassoon—includes metallic parts and features an air column measuring about 5 meters!
I invite you to immerse yourself in the musical alchemy of the contrabassoon.”
July 22 radio CFM
Host Jacq-André Nguegan presented the Festival Cordes-sur-Ciel and interviewed composer in residence Justina Repečkaitė and associated artist Eleonore Pancrazzi. Listen to the podcast HERE.
July 24 at the Médiathèque of Cordes-sur-Ciel
The presentation of Justina Repečkaitė’s music.
July 25 at Ancient Couvent and Saint Michel’s church:
Brocade (2023) for alto and violin, performers Leslie Boulin Raulet and Céline Tison from Quatuor Zaïde.
Unbennant-2 (2016) for string quartet, performers Quatuor Zaïde.
Stalactite (2016) for piano, performer Iveta Calite.
The 53rd edition of Festival Cordes-sur-Ciel 2024 is dedicated to Northern Europe. The program of the festival showcases a wealth of music inspired by traditional melodies, the emergence of national cultural identities, folklore, and the Nordic imaginary with its fairy tales and pagan elements. It also highlights sacred music, particularly Lutheran, as well as contemporary music, including the works of Arvo Pärt. The festival will also pay tribute to Kaija Saariaho.
