ICR Romanian Cultural Institute London

Music: Alexander Balanescu & Film: Gillian Lacey

The Balanescu Quartet is a groundbreaking string quartet led by Romanian-born violinist and composer Alexander Balanescu, with four releases on the Mute label, including Possessed, an album of transcriptions of songs by Kraftwerk, and Maria T, inspired by Romanian diva Maria Tanase, which toured with the Contemporary Music Network in 2005.

Play is composed for rare unearthed footage of members of the Ballets Russes in unguarded moments on a beach during Australian tours in 1936 and 1940. With spins and leaps in the sand, in their swimsuits, enacting scenes from their repertoire with mock seriousness, members of the legendary dance troupe display their youthful energy to the new technology of colour film. World première tour.

Second Breath is a moving reflection on the life of Maurice Blik, sculptor and child survivor of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Liberated by Russians in 1945, Maurice settled in England, and has become an acclaimed sculptor. The film includes archive family photographs animated by Gemma Carrington, footage of Maurice at work and exploration of his magnificent bronzes, cut with flashbacks to the Holocaust. The music, performed live by the Balanescu Quartet, hangs delicately, soars, caresses the sculptures, and disturbs. Maurice Blik will be present to take questions.

The concert will also include material from the quartet’s repertoire.

When/Where:
Sunday 13 April, GATESHEAD, The Sage
Wednesday 16 April, BRISTOL, St George's Church
Thursday 17 April, LONDON, UNION CHAPEL
Thursday 01 May, OXFORD, The North Wall
Wednesday 18 June, NORWICH, Norwich Arts Centre

For details see www.secondbreath.co.uk.

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