A concert is also a ritual, and that certainly applies to this jam-packed double bill. With his cuddly toys and colorful scarves, Charlemagne Palestine is the high priest of ritualistic minimalism. Together with two sound artists from a younger generation, guitarist Oren Ambarchi and multi-instrumentalist Daniel O’Sullivan, Palestine will forge a new version of his meditative classic Karenina tonight. Their performance will be preceded by a set from Japanese sound artist FUJI|||||||||||TA, who uses his voice and homemade pump organ to conjure up subtle, hyper-intense soundscapes.

Composer, performer, and visual artist Charlemagne Palestine, an exponent of the New York experimental school, originally created Karenina (1997) as a solo work for Indian harmonium and vocals. It is colorful drone music that reflects his fascination with Indian improvisation and spiritual singing from the synagogue. In this new version by a super trio, KKAARREENNIINNAA promises to be a dynamic and transformative listening experience once again.

From April 16 – 19, the ninth edition of Minimal Music Festival will take place in Muziekgebouw and BIMHUIS. The festival explores music as a physical, transcendental experience. What inspired pioneers like La Monte Young, Terry Riley and Steve Reich resonates in the wealth of sounds and styles of adventurous makers.

FUJI|||||||||||TA organ/electronics

KKAARREENNIINNAA
Charlemagne Palestine vocals/electronics, Oren Ambarchi guitar/electronics, Daniel O’Sullivan vocals/viola/electronics