Opening concert: Quatuor Diotima + Danevirke by Greve & Zeeberg / Gong Tomorrow

The opening concert at this year’s G((o))ng Tomorrow celebrates the width in new music. The evening is presented in collaboration with Copenhagen Contemporary.

The virtuoso French string quartet Diotima performs works of the highest international standard, and composers Lars Greve and Jeppe Zeeberg invite more than 70 amateur musicians from four Danish big bands to premiere the magnificent work Danevirke.

Quatuor Diotima

The high-profile French string quartet Quatuor Diotima is coming to Copenhagen with pieces from Italy, England and the USA, including two Danish premieres.

The quartet was founded in 1996 by graduates of the Conservatoire de Paris and has since evolved into one of the world’s most demanded ensembles. Diotima has performed widely on the international stage and at leading European festivals for new music. Earlier this year they were presented as resident ensemble of Radio France.

Quatuor Diotima is:

Yun-Peng Zhao, violin
Constance Ronzatti, violin
Franck Chevalier, viola
Pierre Morlet, cello

They will perform:

Andrew Norman: Peculiar Strokes (2011)
Rebecca Saunders: Unbreathed (2017)
Clara Iannotta: Dead wasps in the jam-jar (iii) (2017)

Lars Greve & Jeppe Zeeberg: Danevirke

In 1864, the Danish state summoned soldiers from all regions of the kingdom to defend the Danish border against the Prussians. They had to solve an almost impossible task, and the result – we only know too well.

For the premiere of the newly written composition Danevirke, composers Lars Greve and Jeppe Zeeberg collaborate with personnel from four Danish cities; Ribe, Herning, Svendborg and Farum. Together they form an orchestra with more than 70 musicians.

Although the title Danevirke draws strings to the battle in 1864, Zeeberg and Greve focus on current society and the nationalism that springs not only in Denmark, but throughout Europe. The composition can be interpreted as a wordless commentary on the nationalist flourishing of today which – according to the composers – invariably must decay.

The music begins in an optimistic manner. It emulates a people preparing for war, still believing they are going to win. Along the way, chaos arises, and you will experience a musical work that is disintegrating more and more.

Copenhagen Contemporary is the setting for a tour de force when more than 70 musicians from four amateur big bands gather for the first time and perform Danevirke.

The concert also marks the release of the work on 10” vinyl.