Performa and SFMOMA with Italian Cultural Institute & YBCA present
Metal Machine Manifesto—Music for 16 Intonarumori
Performa ’09 Preview
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Original scores by Luigi Russolo and Paolo Buzzi
New compositions by an all-star cast of experimental composers
Ensemble players from Magik*Magik Orchestra
Read the SF Examiner preview »
Futurist composer Luigi Russolo, well-known for his ground-breaking manifesto The Art of Noises, constructed special hand-cranked instruments to realize an expanded field of orchestral sound. Called intonarumori (or "noise intoners"), these instruments could produce a number of noises—explosions, howls, buzzes, hisses—that Western music failed to employ. Commissioned by Performa, foremost Russolo scholar Luciano Chessa has overseen the recreation of 16 intonarumori and has curated an evening in two parts: the modern premiere of a recently discovered 1916 score for intonarumori, plus newly commissioned pieces by special guests. (Running Time: 120 minutes including one 20-minute intermission)
Tonight, Chessa's ensemble will be joined by special guests; perhaps they will achieve Russolo’s goal: a spiritual synthesis of the world-via-sound! The program travels to New York City for Performa 09 in November and to Milan for an Italian premier in December.
Watch Luciano Chessa play the Intonarumori:
Metal Machine Manifesto is an official event of Performa and SFMOMA’s collaboration with the Italian Cultural Institute to weigh the legacies of Italian Futurism. For a complete list of related events please visit sfmoma.org.