Pascal Schumacher brings « Glass for Two » to the Clerfer Loretto chapel: Homage to Philip Glass
That will be a ride. Shortly before his appearance in the Clerfer Loretto chapel, Pascal Schumacher still has an premiere in Japan. And not at any point, but as part of the cultural program of the Luxembourg Pavilion at the World Exhibition Expo in Osaka. Because on May 30, the Grand Duchy was the focus of interest with its own nation day. Together with Jil Crovisier, Francesco Tristano and the Japanese dancer Maika Fujii, the vibrafonist with international radiance presented the immersive work « Echoes of Tomorrow ». It should be a finger for the Luxembourg cultural scene in the end of the shoulder with Japan.
Despite the stress of preparations and implementation in the « Land of the Rising Sun », Schumacher cannot really recover. He had to go back towards Luxembourg. He will have to endure the possible jet lag. Because even if the framework of the Clerfer Loretto chapel is much smaller, the country is about one of his heart projects. The Luxembourg premiere of his “Glass Two” project is on Sunday, June 1st, at 5 p.m.
The right album for the project was released last winter. It is a mix between a homage of the artist to the American composer Philip Glass, the reinterpretation of his work and the combination with Schumacher’s own sound ideas.
Pascal Schumacher and the big tribute to Philip Glass
Together with the pianist Danae Dörken, the vibrafonist not only wants to create « a unique, crystal sound » in the concert, « who artistically captures the fusion of the two instruments », according to the announcement of the evening, which is overwritten instead of the title « Glass for Two » instead of the album title « Glass Two ». And that in turn emphasizes the duo character and the special role of Dörken.
Experiment in the slightly accessible sound robe
Anyone who has heard into the album knows how it can sound. In a catchy sound robe, the two not only do the diversity beyond the usual allusions of vibrafon and piano. But they are looking for ways to let new tonal colors collide. What happens if the sound is technically changed, what if – then also visible live – the concert experience is enriched by this joy of experimentation?
Even those who have already climbed deeper will be able to experience the evening differently than they may have heard on the album. « Philipp Glass once said that music is like an underground river. And if you listen to more precisely, the music suddenly comes to light. And if you take a little bit again, it disappears a little again – but it stays there. We have built this concert. The pieces are merged, the setlist gets a order of blocks that are connected again and again. on ”, says Schumacher, who reacts to the questions in time in time by voice message from Osaka.
Danae Dörken works for around a year and a half with Schumacher on the project. Photo: Daniel Feistenauer
With Danae Dörken, one and a half years after the first meeting and the approach to the project, now a deep friendship. « The work is so pleasant; musical and human. We are regularly not only in contact because of work and that is a lot of fun, » admits Schumacher. Does the audience also feel this connection?
At least Schumacher is certain that, according to the experience, not only wants to deepen the cooperation with the pianist from the live performances because of her similar humor. « We still have a lot going on. We will expand the series of tribute pieces to cultural workers such as Richard Serra or Allen Ginsberg, which started on the album, » reveals the teacher at the capital conservatory, which has intensively read in the composer’s history and work.
The expansion of the glass project must still run in parallel with other projects. Because not only the lessons at the conservatory continue, but also the next premiere project is waiting. On June 13th, Schumacher wants to lead live in the Philhard Greenstein’s new vibrafon concert with the Luxembourg Philharmonic under the conductor Teddy Abrams.
And not to forget: On June 19, the end result of the new conservatory class « Perspectives », which Schumacher, together with Nora Koenig and Francesco Tristano, developed and managed in the capital in the capital. The goal: pass on experiences to young talents. Maybe something like that as he was inspired by Glass.
Tickets (28 euros, 14 euros enabled, cultural passport) for the concert in the Clerfer Loretto chapel on Sunday, June 1st, at 5 p.m. www.cube521.lu.
