John Luther Adams: Become Ocean

• Concerts

»Life on our planet developed in water. If the polar ice caps melt and the sea level rises, it will end up in the water again.« Based on this simple yet harrowing prediction about the future of humanity, Alaskan composer and environmental activist John Luther Adams wrote his opulent orchestral piece »Become Ocean«, which won a Pulitzer Prize and a Grammy. Hardly any other work could be better suited to the motto of the Hamburg International Music Festival – »Future«. It will be performed by one of the best orchestras for new music, the Basel Sinfonietta under its chief conductor Titus Engel.
It is preceded by one of the most rousing piano concertos of the 21st century, premiered at the 2019 London Proms. The Swiss composer Dieter Ammann once again proves himself to be an accomplished composer who is just as happy incorporating influences from his past in funk and jazz bands as he is elements from early modern music. At the piano: Andreas Haeflinger, whose first performance of the work in Boston in 2019 was hailed as an »elemental event« – both here and at a subsequent performance in Lucerne.

PERFORMERS

Basel Sinfonietta orchestra

Andreas Haefliger piano

Titus Engel conductor

PROGRAM

Dieter Ammann
The Piano Concerto »Gran Toccata«

- Interval -

John Luther Adams
Become Ocean