Combining scientific observation and artistic creativity, the composers Mauro Lanza and Andrea Valle have written a collection of short pieces, whose fictional titles follow the principle of “binomial nomenclature.” At the Berlin Natural History Museum, concertgoers will not only be able to listen to the compositions. The rooms become, moreover, starting points for a production that makes generous use of the museum’s space: the musicians and electromechanical instruments are positioned at various places around the museum. The performance also highlights the sensual appeal of the music and the instruments by making it possible for the audience to see and hear them from up close. The surrounding exhibits offer an additional level of reflection, giving the promenade concert a special atmosphere.

The Ensemble Mosaik is one of the most important ensembles for modern and contemporary classical music and is celebrating its twentieth birthday in 2017. The Schering Stiftung supports the premiere of SYSTEMA NATURAE not only because it represents a meeting of science and art at both the visual and acoustic level; the Foundation also expressly honors the Ensemble Mosaik for its important contributions to the development and promotion of modern and contemporary classical music.

SYSTEMA NATURAE

Premiere of the Entire Cycle by Mauro Lanza and Andrea Valle

Regnum animale (2013) for string trio and electromechanical objects
Regnum vegetabile (2014) for horn trio, string trio, and electromechanical objects
Regnum lapideum (2016) for ensemble and electromechanical objects
Fossilia (2016/17) for 10 musicians and electromechanical objects