Alva Noto: Xerrox Vol. 4

Carsten Nicolai aka Alva Noto, one of the best known minds in the electronic music scene since the 1990s, composed the fourth part of his “Xerrox” series in 2020. Now the Ensemble Modern, together with Alva Noto as soloist, is realizing an instrumental version of “Xerrox Vol. 4” arranged especially for the ensemble as a commissioned work for the Frankfurt Positionen 2021. The multimedia work, which combines music with video and light installations, will be developed at the Frankfurt LAB in early April 2021. Due to the extended event ban, Ensemble Modern will stream the concert recording online as a world premiere on April 17 and 25, 2021 (both at 8:30 p.m.) as part of the Frankfurter Positionen and “TONLAGEN – Dresdner Tage der zeitgenössischen Musik.”

Based on the concept of digital replication of source material, the “Xerrox” project deals with the manipulation of data (melodies) by means of endless reproduction. A production process of copies from copies, in other words, whose sounds are altered in such a way that they can hardly be associated with the source material. This creates a sound spectrum of completely new sounds: copies of originals become originals themselves. In 2020, after “Xerrox Vol. 1” (2007), “Vol. 2” (2009) and “Vol. 3” (2015), Carsten Nicolai continued his “Xerrox” journey with “Xerrox Vol. 4”. The idea of an edited version with instrumental line-up already exists since the release of the first volume. After the great success with the work “utp_” (2007) Carsten Nicolai continues the collaboration with the Ensemble Modern in collaboration with Max Knoth.

Tickets for the streams can be purchased via Reservix using a pricing system based on solidarity. Viewers have a choice between the beginner’s price of 10 Euros, the regular price of 20 Euros and the supporter’s price of 30 Euros. Ticket purchases close one hour before the beginning of the digital event. The streams may also be viewed as Video-on-Demand for up to 48 hours after the event’s original starting time.