Prometheus Ensemble

György Kurtág's (°1926) 'Rückblick' is at once a retrospective and homage, as indicated in his title: 'Altes und Neues für vier Spieler. Wie ein Rituel zu spielen - ohne Pause - attaca possibile'. Thus: the old and the new - although such categories do not seem decisive. In the case of Kurtág's music the old glides in between the new, into the dialogue of a polylingual unity, a sort of anthology about Kurtág - by Kurtág. This is essentially a retrospective, a concert program of seventy-five minutes, during which the composer makes use of earlier works in their original form, of revisions, or transcriptions of old material, or of new pieces especially written for this occasion. It typifies Kurtág that he views the program more in its potential, than in terms of an obligation. In additon, no single score was set for the entire production. It is rather up to the musicians to play their own part. In a concert, during the last season, the Prometheus Ensemble and Collegium Vocale Gent confronted the world of Bach with that of Kurtág. This new project further intends to explore the rituals of this Hungarian composer, who like no other has defined the essence of music as illumination.