Composer

:

Mauricio Kagel

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

ca. 1989

Average_duration

:

29:10

Mauricio Kagel's 'Zwei Akte' is a composition for two actors, two percussionists, and tape. It was composed in 1967 and premiered on May 12, 1968, at the Darmstadt International Summer Courses for New Music. The piece is divided into two movements, each of which is a self-contained theatrical scene. The first movement, titled "Der Schall" (The Sound), features two actors who are dressed in black and white and are seated at a table. They engage in a series of nonsensical conversations and actions, accompanied by the percussionists who play a variety of instruments, including drums, cymbals, and gongs. The tape part includes pre-recorded sounds, such as animal noises and industrial sounds, which are played back at various points throughout the movement. The second movement, titled "Das Licht" (The Light), takes place on a darkened stage. The actors are dressed in white and black, respectively, and are illuminated by spotlights. They engage in a series of actions and movements that are synchronized with the percussionists, who play a variety of instruments, including maracas, tambourines, and woodblocks. The tape part includes pre-recorded sounds, such as electronic tones and human voices, which are played back at various points throughout the movement. Overall, 'Zwei Akte' is a highly theatrical and experimental work that combines elements of music, theater, and performance art. It is characterized by its use of non-traditional instruments, such as found objects and pre-recorded sounds, as well as its emphasis on visual and physical elements, such as costume and movement. The piece is also notable for its absurdist and surrealistic elements, which reflect Kagel's interest in exploring the boundaries between reality and illusion.

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