“Untitled – (after Modeller Opus 33 by Henning Christiansen)”

In this work Bulgarian composer Sibin Vassilev meets the oeuvre of danish composer Henning Christiansen (1932-2009).

Vassilev’s focus is on the tonal redesign and the transfer of the compositions into space, something he does through a matrix of eight speakers placed in a cube. In terms of sound, Vassilev works hybrid – i.e. he records acoustic instruments according to Christiansen’s notes, rearranges them and combines them with synthetic sound shadows. The arrangement is immersive. Various spatial configurations develop through the choreographed movements of the sound elements of the composition at different speeds. The work is a multi-channel installation.

Vassilev is working with composer and fluxus artist Henning Christiansen’s «Modules Opus 33» from the 60s, small compositions that are as easy to read on paper, as they are to listen to during a concert. Christiansen wanted to move past a sentimental attitude in music where the composer is showing off their talent. Instead, he presented a ‘new simplicity’ where the soundscape invites the listeners to take part in the work as a co-creator – through consciousness of time and space. Christiansen wrote that «Music is music. Music exists to be listened to. The space between two tones is the space between two tones. Musik should be real». Christiansen was co-founder of Kunsthal 44Møen, where his archive is located.  Partiturer Op. 33, Modeller:  link 

Vassilev (1964, Sofia) lives and works in Berlin. He has created numerous sound installations for public spaces, exhibitions and biennales all over Europe for example the audiovisual installation “BIG DATA” (in collaboration with Yoann Trellu). He  has received multiple awards for his music for theatre and cinema, including: “Stuttgart Theater Award”. 

The Carlsberg Foundation has over the last few years funded the digitalization of Christiansen’s fragile archive material, making it available for the wider public. https://hchristiansen.ktdk.dk/