Leuk under the spell of new music

The 10th International Festival for New Music Forum Valais will take place at Leuk Castle from May 12 to 16, 2016: The two productions by the Décosterd brothers (CodAct) from Neuchatel that have won several international awards: Nyloïd and Pendulum Choir stand out in particular. Pendulum Choir is currently one of the most spectacular and metaphorically rich choral productions: a 9-voice male choir attached to a ghostly hydraulic construction, whose live voices are blended with electronic music to create a fascinating hybrid amidst abstract robotics.

Emphasizes international anniversary edition
The 10th edition of the festival brings together several programs with political connotations: Ensemble Zafraan from Berlin presents music by composers from current and former crisis regions, Nicolas Vérins and video art pioneer Robert Cahens Opera Ushba et Tetnuld reworks the Georgian legend of Mount Ushba, once the most difficult peak in the world, and builds surprising bridges between Georgia and Valais. The festival closes with a performance by the newly founded political pop group Porok Karpo, led by charismatic Tibet activist Loten Namling - Namling received the 2015 Human Rights Prize from the International Society for Human Rights in Switzerland. Manuel Mengis unites several generations of international jazz legends with Flo Stoffner, Barry Guy and Lucas Niggli, Christophe Fellay performs with the South African pianist Jill Richards, and UMS 'n JIP with the Japanese composer Keitaro Takahashi. In total, the festival presents over 50 contemporary works and composers from 25 countries, ranging from classical chamber music formations and orchestral concerts to pure electronic music, for which an international competition has been announced this year for the second time since 2015. The concerts will be flanked by installations, performances and an art exhibition bringing together some of Valais' most popular artists.