Tuesday, October 13, at 12:00 p.m.: RLLRLRLLRRLRLRLRLLRLRLR (1 hour)
Tuesday, October 13, at 7:00 p.m.: solo (30 minutes) as part of the opening for NO/NC
Known for his unique, playful, and highly virtuosic approach to his instrument, internationally renowned drummer Julian Sartorius will present RLLRLRLLRRLRLRLRLLRLRLR, a score composed for a percussion ensemble in which “R” stands for right hand and “L” stands for left hand. Played continuously by the ensemble throughout the piece, the motif evolves under Julian Sartorius’s direction as he adapts the instrumentation (adding, substituting, or removing objects or instruments).
A journey through minimalism, repetition, musical progression, and a deluge of sound. The concert stems from an experiment in which the addition, removal, or modification of basic elements generates new content. It also incorporates playfulness, the freedom to assemble elements, and the surprise of unexpected sound combinations. Much like many scientific protocols, this method—here applied to music—suggests avenues of convergence between scientific and creative practices.
At 7 p.m. that evening, as part of the opening reception for the installation NO/NC (Normally Open/Normally Closed), co-created with Archizoom, Julian Sartorius will give a solo concert.
--- Biography of Julian Sartorius
Drummer, percussionist, and artist Julian Sartorius shapes sounds into unique forms. His precise and rich rhythmic patterns are true explorations of the hidden sounds of found objects and prepared instruments, bridging the gap between organic timbres and the language of electronic music. Julian Sartorius has released numerous solo albums, created audiovisual works, collaborated with musicians, writers, and artists, and performed in everything from intimate venues to festival stages.
Trained at the jazz schools in Bern and Lucerne under the guidance of musicians such as Fabian Kuratli, Pierre Favre, and Norbert Pfammatter, Julian Sartorius developed a unique musical approach at a very early age. Fascinated by small-scale variations, the interplay of tension and release, density, and vibration, he has created projects such as the 12-vinyl box set *Beat Diary* (Everest Records, 2012), comprising 365 rhythmic pieces accompanied by a book of photographs; the daily series of eight-second loops “Morphblog” (2013–2019); and “Depot,” an audiovisual installation for 16 speakers and 16 screens, presented at the Kunstmuseum in Thun. For his album “Hidden Tracks: Basel – Geneva” (Everest Records, 2017), Julian walked more than 200 kilometers with his drumsticks and recording equipment, playing and capturing a multitude of sounds and textures from objects he encountered along the way.
In recent years, Julian Sartorius has collaborated with numerous musicians, including Sophie Hunger, Sylvie Courvoisier, Gyda Valtysdottir, Dimlite, Shahzad Ismaily, and Dan Carey. His instantly recognizable percussion work also appears on recent albums by Kate Tempest, Matthew Herbert, and James Zoo. Julian Sartorius has toured and performed in North and South America, Asia, and Europe, sharing the stage with artists such as Marc Ribot, Deerhoof, Faust, Jaki Liebezeit, and Arto Lindsay.
--- Usinesonore
The Usinesonore association shares its passion for music by promoting it through various activities in the Canton of Bern and beyond. It was previously invited to EPFL in 2017.
Founded in 2006 by Julien Annoni and Olivier Membrez, two young Bernese Jura natives passionate about contemporary music, the Usinesonore association organizes events centered on today’s music.
The association’s activities focus on three main areas: organizing the Usinesonore Festival, the Ensemble We Spoke, and organizing parallel events (traveling concerts, custom-designed events, outreach activities, etc.).
Each event is shaped by careful consideration of how to share it with the audience. Usinesonore devotes all its energy to ensuring that the audience can experience the artistic moment, that they do not leave indifferent, and that they feel heard and supported throughout their experience.
