Programme Dance Performance - 'mar' by Luke Bugeja Gauci

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Max Richter (1966 - ) Vivaldi The Four Seasons recomposed 

Spring I, II, III

Summer I, II, III

Autumn I, II, III

Winter I, II, III

Programme Note ‘mar’ is a navigation of paradox, where knowing and not knowing emerge like the moon shimmering on water. Celebrating the 700-year anniversary of Marco Polo's journey to the realm of spirit, it evokes the liminal space between the familiar and the vast unknown, similar to our world today, where cultures and identities intertwine amid global change. A journey that began in Venice, the city floating between dream and reality, and its canals flowing like veins pulsing toward the heart of mystery. Identical to the explorers who followed in Marco Polo's footsteps, such as Christopher Columbus, drawn irresistibly toward the unknown, 'mar’ embarked upon the waters of life, silk sails catching the wind, discovering labyrinths and hidden corners. 

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Max Richter’s -The Four Seasons Recomposed is a bold reimagining of Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, blending Baroque music with 21st-century minimalism and electronic influences. Premiered in 2012, Richter’s recomposition brings a contemporary sensibility to one of classical music’s most recognizable works. Instead of merely arranging Vivaldi’s score, Richter deconstructs and reconstructs it, offering a fresh and inventive perspective on the original.

While Vivaldi’s iconic themes remain, Richter introduces new textures, repetitions, and harmonies that transform the music into a mesmerizing, almost hypnotic soundscape. His minimalist approach creates a sense of fluidity and timelessness, allowing the listener to experience the familiar with new ears. By looping and extending Vivaldi’s motifs, Richter taps into the meditative and emotional depths of the music, offering an introspective journey through the changing seasons. This reinvention breathes modernity into the piece while maintaining respect for Vivaldi’s rich musical imagery.

Richter also incorporates electronic elements subtly into the orchestration, enhancing the atmospheric quality of the music without overshadowing its classical roots. His version appeals to a wide audience, bridging the gap between classical traditions and contemporary music lovers, creating a work that is accessible yet profound.

Recomposed is not merely a reinterpretation but a dialogue between two musical worlds—one that honors Vivaldi’s masterwork while simultaneously pushing its boundaries. It showcases Richter’s ability to bring classical music into the present, making it relevant and resonant for today’s listeners.

Artist profile Luke Bugeja Gauci - Dancer/Choreographer

Luke Bugeja Gauci wants to inspire and bring comfort to his audience. Luke continuously pushes the bounds of convention; he has shown his work at locations in Zurich, Switzerland, and at major festivals as Dance Festival Malta 2023. His comprehensive examination of human existence and societal themes is evident in collaborations like "Fluidity of Being" at Spazju Kreattiv with movingeedit Studio and his solo exhibitions, such as Far From Somewhere. Currently, Luke is working with Malta national dance company, ŻfinMalta. Luke's work goes beyond aesthetics in an effort to use dance's transformative potential to inspire and bring attention to global issues. Luke seeks to inspire change and encourage audiences to consider the state of humanity with every production. 

Riccardo Bianchi - conductor Riccardo Bianchi who hails from Varese, Italy, is KorMalta's artistic director and chorus master. He is also the musical director of the Orchestra Sacro Monte di Varese. Bianchi holds several awards, namely two Special Commendations at the London 2015 conducting competition and the “Diploma di Merito” in choir conducting and polyphony from the Accademia Musicale Chigiana di Siena (2015/2016). Riccardo has conducted several established orchestras including the London Classical Soloists, the “Arturo Toscanini” Orchestra of Parma, “I Pomeriggi Musicali” of Milano, the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra and Malta Youth Orchestra, the FVG Orchestra, the Mihail Jora State Symphony Orchestra, to name a few.

He has collaborated with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra and with Maestro Daniele Gatti as Conductor in Residence on the occasion of the RCO Meets Europe 2018 project. For his operatic debut he conducted “Suor Angelica” by Giacomo Puccini, during the “Varese Estense Festival” in 2018. This was followed by Mozart’s Don Giovanni in 2019 at Teatro di Varese and Teatro Sociale di Stradella, Pavia. In 2023 he conducted the world Premiere of the Opera “il 3001” by Voris Sarris on an original Libretto by Luigi Illica. He has worked as assistant conductor in Oslo Opera Theater, Monte Carlo Opera Theatre, Brno Opera Theatre, Parma Opera Theater, Pavia Opera Theater, Bruxelles Opera Theater.

Riccardo graduated from the Conservatorio G. Tartini in orchestra conducting and holds a post-master's degree from the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana in orchestral conducting. In 2011, Riccardo graduated from the Conservatorio G. Verdi in choral conducting and furthered his choral studies with a Master of Advanced Studies in Renaissance Polyphony Performance from Conservatorio della Svizzera Italiana. He also graduated with honours in philosophy, but the most precious recognitions are the friendships that proudly bind him to all his masters.

Kurt Falzon  - soloist Kurt Falzon is a 21-year-old Maltese violinist, currently based in The Netherlands. Kurt began the violin at the age of five, and continued his tuition with Marcelline Agius, leader of the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO), and later with Nadia Debono, former principal viola of the MPO. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in violin at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague under the guidance of Ms Vera Beths. Kurt has been a member of the Malta Youth Orchestra for six years and has led the orchestra as concertmaster on several occasions. 

He has been an intern with the MPO during the 2020-2021 season and has since become a regular substitute. Additionally, he has also performed with several different ensembles in Malta, including the Valletta International Baroque Ensemble and the newly formed Nova Sinfonietta. Kurt has featured as a soloist with the Almere Youth Symphony Orchestra as well as with the MPO on several occasions. He has also played as a soloist with the world famous Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra in the festival 'Klassiek Op Het Amstelveld' in Amsterdam. This followed his winning of the 'Spotlight Concours' in 2023. Orchestra Violin 1 Sarah Spiteri Nicholas Conrad Beverley Berenice Bernard Curmi Violin 2 Tatjana Chircop

Veronica Bartolo Sonia Mallia James Caruana Turner Viola Antoine Frendo Joseph Mallia Elena Muscat Cello Jacob Portelli Matthias Conrad Double bass Silvio Vella Harpischord Tom Armitage Harp Michela Vella