for voice, flute, contrabass clarinet, electronics and movement (2024)
Commissioned and premiered by Kammerensemble Neue Musik Berlin (KNM) at the Berlin Radialsystem 14.09.2024.
With the kind support of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport (BMKÖS), City of Vienna and SKE Fonds Austria
Duration: 13 minutes
Composer: Cao Thanh Lan
On September 14, 2024, Ensemble KNM Berlin hosted the third part of its concert series – “reading music – the season” at Berlin’s Radialsystem. The series deals with the translation of text into music. The composition “Bekommen”, as a part of this project, examine the lyrics of Nina Simone’s song “Four Women” and the question of cultural identity.
“Bekommen” is German for “receive, get, obtain” in English. Do we “get” this identity in the course of our lives or can we shape it ourselves? Curiously, the English word “become” comes from the German word “bekommen”. Perhaps what we “get” also contributes to how we “bekommen” – “become”.
“Bekommen” is conceived as minimalist music theater in which the performers’ voices, poems, music and movement come together.
More information to the event: https://kammerensemble.de/veranstaltung/back-and-forth/
Some photos of the rehearsal and performance – Photo credit Gregor Siedl
Cao Thanh Lan 