In line with the exhibition “Calder. Rêver en équilibre” at the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, four of France’s most renowned percussionists perform Earle Brown’s Calder Piece in multiple performances on June 20 and 21.
Adélaïde Ferrière, Vanessa Porter, Emmanuel Jacquet and Rodolphe Théry present the work for four percussionists and mobile, which includes an original mobile, named Chef d’Orchestre, by artist Alexander Calder, designed especially for Brown’s work.
The mobile not only acts as conductor of the group but is also used as an instrument by the musicians.
“One is not conditioned to tolerate the striking of a work of art and the sounds of breath-holding could be heard in the audience when the musicians first approached and played the mobile. One of Calder’s slightly disappointed comments after that first performance was, “I thought that you were going to hit it much harder – with hammers.”
- Earle Brown reflected on the first performance in early 1967.
With this one of a kind piece of music, Brown honors the work and life of Alexander Calder, who was a great source of inspiration for his open form works.
Find out more about the performances at Fondation Louis Vuitton.
