Last night was SUPERB!
From the Roundhouse:Frieze Music in association with Live Nation GLENN BRANCA SYMPHONY No.13: Hallucination City
Avant-garde composer and guitarist, Glenn Branca performs here as part of The Frieze Art Fair - Frieze Music presentation for 2007. There will be a performance of Glenn Branca’s epic Symphony No.13: Hallucination City for 100 electric guitars.
A piece of transformative beauty, it has been described by the Village Voice as “Branca’s most impressive work ever.” Glenn Branca, who started out as a member of NY punk outfit Theoretical Girls, began composing for electric guitar ensembles in the early 80s. His ensembles have featured members of Sonic Youth, Swans and Helmet.
Hallucination City was premiered in the World Trade Centre Plaza, New York, in 2001 to overwhelming public acclaim.
Symphony No.13 is in four movements; March, Anthem, Drive and Vengeance. Glenn Branca’s music is not conventional in any sense and in this piece the guitars use the basis of only two chords. Players need to be able to read basic staff notation and have the ability to follow a part measure for measure.
The playing technique includes plenty of double strumming and chording. Over the next few months Branca will closely supervise the recruitment of the 100 guitarists who will all be unpaid volunteers. Interested players, who must own their own guitar and small sized amp, can contact Branca at glenn@glennbranca.com, marking their email LONDON. In the run up to the performance those chosen to take part will be sent sections of the piece every few weeks to learn but the composer stipulates that these do not need to be memorized. The volunteers must be available for two day-long rehearsals and, of course, the event itself. Branca’s music has been used for film and performance by a diverse group of internationally renowned companies including; Alvin Ailey Company, Peter Greenaway, San Francisco Ballet, Netherlands Dance Theater and The Wooster Group.
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