Kurtág's Kafka-Fragmente

‘An hour-long work of extraordinary variety and emotional depth.’ This is how The Guardian described György Kurtág’s Kafka-Fragmente after the release of the acclaimed recording by soprano Anna Prohaska and violinist Isabelle Faust. This live performance of the cycle by these two leading musicians is an unparalleled journey, filled with breathtaking moments. Seldom does one witness such vulnerability on stage.

In 1986, Kurtág completed his longest composition yet, Kafka-Fragmente. Inspired by the ideas of psychologist Marianne Stein, he spent a year setting short and long fragments from Franz Kafka’s diaries to music, in his own unique way. With just one voice and one violin, he conjures a complete world of acrobatic virtuosity, theatrical flair, and music that resonates long after the performance.

Echoes of Nothing

From 19:45 to 20:00 in the Entreehal, prior to the concert in the Grote Zaal, the three curators of Echoes of Nothing will give a short performance. Reflecting on the work by Kafka, Jaime Peña Martínez and Yumi Augustine were inspired to write pieces on cicadas, insects who go through a fascinating metamorphosis within their lives. After these original pieces, they finish with celebrating Kurtag's roots by playing music originating in Hungary.  

Programme:
Jaime Peña Martínez Emergence
Yumi Augustine Cicada shell
Béla Bartók 'White Lily' from 'Three Hungarian Folk songs from Csik' (arr. Jaime Peña Martínez)

Credits:
Federico Martinez Moreno percussion
Jaime Peña Martínez clarinet
Yumi Augustine guitar



Learn more about Echoes of Nothing

Programme booklet (Dutch)