[PGVIS2024] [KEYNOTE] Using Repertoire as a Reservoir

THURSDAY 22ND AUGUST 2024, 10:00 - 10:45 HRS.
SUSANNE VAL ELS
Conservatoire National Supérieur Musique et Danse de Lyon, France
USING REPERTOIRE AS A RESERVOIR: A CONFLICT WITH THE TRADITIONAL PARADIGM OF THE HOLY RELATION OF A MUSICIAN WITH HIS REPERTOIRE AS THE CENTER OF ARTISTIC PRACTICES OR ENTERING A DREAMLAND?
While living in an experience economy, or an experience society, it seems musicians do not fully engage in these, basically great for the arts, times. Both in the training of musicians and in what they present as their product, their relationship with the repertoire is central, as if assuming that this is also the epitome of attraction to an audience. And maybe the words “repertoire” and “audience” are the pillars of a tradition which is not completely in sync with the present anyway?
When replacing those with the words “music” and “community”, we find ourselves in the heart of the matter: artistic practices open up to transversal, interdisciplinary and inclusive approaches, outreach is not conceived as a separate activity, and it is also possible to relate the conventional setting of a classical music concert, in a concert hall, with an informed, exclusive audience, to the special role that music and music making fulfil; creating unique experiences with universal dimensions.
Building on this, repertoire becomes a reservoir for musicians as makers in society.
In this session, we will discuss the concept, and explore a real-life example of a conflict between this approach and the prevailing professional habits.
Biography
Susanne van Els (viola) is recognized as one of the leading musicians in The Netherlands. She was awarded the Alcuinus Prize of the City of Nijmegen, The Netherlands in 1998, for her outstanding merits as a performing artist. An active soloist and chamber musician, Susanne van Els was (co)founder of the Ives Ensemble, Sinfonietta Amsterdam and Wendingen.
She was also a member of such former successful groups as String Trio Holland (winners of several chamber music competitions and recipients of the Second Prize in the International Chamber Music Competition Melbourne 1991) and the Giotto Ensemble.
Since 1991, she has been the violist of the Schönberg Ensemble, and she recently joined the newly founded New Amsterdam Peil.
Susanne van Els has premiered several new concertos written for her by composers such as Willem Jeths, Mayke Nas, and Ron Ford.
She gave the Dutch premiere of Ligeti's solo viola sonata, which she subsequently recorded on CD for Harmonia Mundi - this CD was rewarded both the Deutscher Schalplattenpreis and the Diapason d'Or de l'annee 2009.
She has produced a series of remarkable solo CDs, including Waterworks (in combination with the DVD Zinc Garden) and her experimental Christmas CD. Sonata, created together with poet/actor Ramsey Nasr, features the Shostakovich sonata for viola and piano (Susanne van Els/Reinbert de Leeuw). Her CD To You contains stunning live performances of viola concertos and Faces is an intimate and expressive cd with Hindemith and Milhaud.
A multitude of composers, including Louis Andriessen, have written solo pieces for her. She soloed in a series of live broadcasted concerts in the Hindemith Year and appeared as a soloist in Klaas de Vries opera A King Riding.
She has performed in music theatre works with the theatre companies ZT Hollandia and NT Gent. Her theatre activities include acting as well as being a musician on stage.
An inspired educator, Susanne van Els developed a course of music for University College Utrecht: Music in the Making, which is part of the performing arts curriculum of the College. She also leads a similar course for the Honours Programme of the Radboud University Nijmegen. She has worked with international music students at the Summer Academy of the Dutch National Youth Orchestra, gives viola and chamber music master classes, and often serves as a jury member for competitions.
Recently she also directed Shakespeare's The Tempest, performed by students of the University College Utrecht.
Susanne van Els was graduated with distinction from the Royal Conservatory in The Hague, The
Netherlands, where she studied with Ferdinand Erblich and Nobuko Imai.
Susanne van Els was a member of the Board of the National Fund for Composed Music, and is currently Chair of the advisory committees for composition of the Dutch Fund for the Creative Arts.
She is also a member of the selection committee for the National Culture Council. She served a period of four years on the local municipal council.
Susanne van Els plays a viola built by Carlo Antonio Testore, anno 1745.
Susanne is a mother of four.
translation: Monica Germino