A glow of brand-new timbres lights this evening with more than a hint of Eastern mystery. The four composers featured come from the four corners of the earth, yet they share a predilection for unique timbre.

Wilbert Bulsink made quite an impression in 2018 with his hallucinatory harp concert Spelingen, in which Miriam Overlach took to her harp with scouring pads. Asko|Schönberg has built up a close relationship with the Chinese–American Huang Ruo, a former composer in residence at the Concertgebouw. The Czech Ondřej Adámek has triumphed with his self-built instruments, such as the Airmachine. His new Lost Prayer Book, a work jointly commissioned by Asko|Schönberg, is a solo concerto for the sheng, a Chinese mouth organ. One of the most compelling composers of our time, the Korean Unsuk Chin has created a paradox of free improvisation and rigid structure with her Fantaisie méchanique.

Artists

HUANG RUO
The Lost Garden Chamber Concerto No 2
ONDŘEJ ADÁMEK 
Lost Prayer Book, Dutch première – commissioned by Musikfabrik, Ensemble 2e2m, Philharmonia Orchestra London & Asko|Schönberg, November Music
WILBERT BULSINK 
Spelingen, new arrangement for ensemble, with support of the Performing Arts Fund NL
UNSUK CHIN 
Fantaisie mécanique  

ASKO|SCHÖNBERG
conductor Bas Wiegers
sheng Wu Wei
harp Miriam Overlach