The Anatomy of the orchestra: refractions and abstractions

Taking The Anatomy of the Orchestra as a starting point, Refractions and Abstractions is a part installation-part concert that explored the centuries-old yet wild panache of Baroque composer JS Bach, and an abstracted, modern, and jaw-dropping reimagining of ancient musical form by Dutch composer Louis Andriessen, coupled with other modern reflections—or refractions—on these long-past musical worlds by contemporary composers Nico Muhly and Peter Maxwell Davies.

Audiences were invited to wander the ensemble, creating their own sonic mix, getting up close and personal with musicians as they played. Conducted by Charles Hazlewood and performed by musicians from Paraorchestra playing a mix of traditional and electronic instruments Anatomy of the Orchestra: Refractions and Abstractions was performed in the Museum Atrium, Garage Museum of Contemporary Arts, Moscow on 7th and 8th February 2020.

Photo: Egor Slizâk