Photo credit: Mark Zammit Cordina The sixth edition of MAD (Music & Dance) presents a dance residency connecting international artists with local talent. Jure Gostinčar from Slovenia and Francesca Abela Tranter from Malta have been commissioned to work with a selected group of local and international dancers to create three new choreographies. The music selected for the choreographic works are: Rebonds B for solo percussion by Iannis Xenakis characterised by intricate rhythmic patterns and polyrhythms creating a complex and dynamic soundscape; Terra for cello and audio backtrack by Giovanni Sollima which blends classical and contemporary elements, utilising a wide range of techniques and expressive capabilities; 21 by Andy Akiho for cello, marimba and looper which requires the cellist to play a kick drum and operate a loop pedal while simultaneously playing the cello, while the percussion part involves playing a tambourine with the foot pedal in addition to the marimba.

Programme

Ruben Zahra Silk Road Suite (2002)

cello and percussion 

I Mediterranean Shores

II Desert Chase

III Yellow Fields

IV The Great Wall

Iannis Xenakis Rebonds B (1987 - 1989)

percussion

Matthew Bartolomey Schaduw (2024)

cello

Giovanni Sollima Terra (2001)

cello and audio track

I Aria

II Acqua

III Danza

IV Fuoco

Louis Andriessen Woodpecker (1999)

percussion

Andy Akiho 21 (2008)

cello, marimba and looper

Credits

Silvia Gira - cello

Rodolfo Rossi - percussion

Jure Gostinčar - choreographer

Francesca Abela Tranter - choreographer

M.A.D. - Music and Dance 2024

Programme Notes

Ruben Zahra - Silk Road Suite (2002)

I Mediterranean Shores

II Desert Chase

III Yellow Fields

IV The Great Wall

The route taken by Marco Polo on his epic journey has become known to history as the Silk Road. The suite is set in four movements that trace a musical journey from the Mediterranean Shores and seaports to the ancient cities of China, beyond The Great Wall. Although the course of the Silk Road was too desolate to support a large population, small raiding parties could exist very well drawing water from isolated water holes and occasionally engaging in a Desert Chase to garner necessities and luxuries from passing caravans. Before entering the great walled city of Chiang-an by the west gate, the Silk Road travellers found themselves in the Yellow Fields of the fertile Wei River valley. The yellow is from the loess, the fine dust that for millennia has blown from the northern steppes, filling both earth and air.

Iannis Xenakis - Rebonds B (1987 - 1989)

Rebonds B by Iannis Xenakis is a dynamic solo percussion piece composed between 1987 and 1989. This piece features a complex interplay of rhythms and timbre, scored for a bass drum, bongos, conga, tom and woodblocks. The music begins with a cyclical groove that gradually becomes volatile through intense bursts. As the movement progresses, the rhythmic patterns become increasingly complex, culminating in a dramatic dissolution of structure. Rebonds B is celebrated for its technical challenges and interpretive freedom, offering the soloist a rich canvas for expression. Its intricate textures and rhythmic nuances elevate the piece to a masterwork of contemporary percussion repertoire.

Matthew Bartolomey - Schaduw (2024)

Schaduw, (Dutch for shadow), was commissioned by the National Competition of the Cello Biennale Amsterdam 2024. It explores the profound duality of light and shadow, a truth deeply intertwined with human nature. This composition delves into the shapes and colours hidden within shadows, revealing not just darkness, but the myriad shades in between. The music of Schaduw spans a wide range, from heavy, groove-driven rock riffs to turbulent arpeggios and sensitive, melancholic melodies. Upon close listening, one may discover a nod to my most cherished composer, woven into the fabric of this evocative work.

Giovanni Sollima - Terra (2001)

I Aria

II Acqua

III Danza

IV Fuoco

Terra by Giovanni Sollima is a captivating four-movement suite for solo cello and audio backtrack that explores the elemental themes of air, water, earth and fire. I. Aria: This movement introduces a lyrical melody, setting the tone for the suite with its soaring lines and expressive depth. II. Acqua: Inspired by the fluidity of water, this section features undulating rhythms and melodic motifs that evoke the movement and tranquillity of aquatic landscapes. III. Danza: Sollima's Mediterranean roots shine through in a vibrant dance-like movement, filled with energetic rhythms and percussive elements. IV. Fuoco: The final movement embodies the intensity and passion of fire, culminating in a dramatic climax that showcases Sollima's mastery of dynamic contrasts and emotional depth. Throughout Terra, Sollima's eclectic style blends jazz, rock, and Mediterranean influences with minimalist techniques, creating a rich tapestry of sound.

Louis Andriessen - Woodpecker (1999)

Woodpecker by Louis Andriessen, composed in 1999, is a dynamic percussion piece that showcases the composer's approach to rhythmic complexity. Known for his eclectic style, which often combines elements of jazz, minimalism and European avant-garde traditions, Andriessen crafts a work that is both technically demanding and musically engaging. Woodpecker highlights the percussive instrument's ability to create a wide range textures, reflecting Andriessen's interest in exploring unconventional instrumental combinations. 

Andy Akiho - 21 (2008)

21 by Andy Akiho is a captivating piece inspired by the twenty-first measure of J.S. Bach's Violin Sonata No. 1 in G minor. Originally composed for steel pan and cello in 2008, it has been adapted for marimba and cello, as well as steel pan and viola. The work incorporates traditional Trinidadian Soca rhythms with contemporary techniques, requiring the cellist to play a kick drum and operate a loop pedal while performing. 21 showcases Akiho's unique blend of rhythmic complexity and melodic innovation, creating a dynamic sound world that blends diverse musical influences.

Biographies

Silvia Gira - cello

Silvia is a distinguished cellist, currently pursuing a master's degree at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam under Pieter Wispelwey and Maarten Mostert. She began playing the cello at the age of four and graduated with honours from the Conservatorio Vincenzo Bellini in Palermo at the age of 17. Further studies included working with Antonio Meneses and Giovanni Sollima at the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. Silvia excels both as a soloist and in chamber music, performing at festivals such as Trame Sonore and the Orlando Festival. Her performances span premier venues which include Auditorium Parco della Musica in Rome, Amsterdam's Concertgebouw and TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht. With expertise ranging from Baroque to contemporary repertoire, Silvia continues to captivate audiences internationally with her artistry and dedication.

Rodolfo Rossi - percussion

Rodolfo Rossi has collaborated extensively with orchestras, including the Orchestra dell'Accademia di Santa Cecilia and the Teatro dell'Opera in Rome. He is committed to contemporary music both as a soloist and chamber music. As a member of the Ars Ludi Percussion Ensemble and Freon Ensemble, he has participated in prestigious festivals such as Locarno, RomaEuropa and Mexico's Festival Cervantino. His performances span the USA, Canada, Europe, Mexico, China and Africa with recordings for national radio and television. He has explored jazz and theater, collaborating with artists like Antonella Ruggiero and Luis Bacalov. He has recorded for labels including Virgin, RCA, and Stradivarius. Since 1994, he has been a professor of Percussion Instruments at the 'O. Respighi' Music Conservatory in Latina.

Jure Gostinčar – choreographer

Born in 1992 in Koper, Slovenia, Jure Gostinčar began his career as a dancer and freelance artist. After training with Ballet Junior de Genève in 2015 he joined ŻfinMalta and later worked with Proyecto Titoyaya in Spain and Gwyn Emberton Dance in the UK. In 2019 he joined Of Curious Nature in Bremen, Germany, under Helge Letonja and Felix Landerer. Since 2021, he has been part of Skånes Dansteater in Malmö, Sweden. Jure has collaborated with renowned choreographers such as Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, Iván Pérez Avilés and Anouk Van Dijk. In addition to performing, he teaches and explores choreography. He received the Best Male Dancer award in 2012 from the Slovenian Dance Organization.

Francesca Tranter - choreographer

Francesca Tranter is a pioneering figure in Malta's contemporary dance scene, renowned as a choreographer, researcher and interdisciplinary artist. Trained in Malta and the UK, she specializes in contemporary dance and choreography. Since 1981, she has been instrumental in dance education and innovation, mentoring emerging talent and collaborating globally. Founder of Contact Dance Company (1998), she explores diasporic themes, presenting works across Europe. She launched Dance Hybrid Malta (2001) and Dance on the Move (2011), fostering professional exchanges and masterclasses. Holding a Master's degree in Performance Dance Studies, Francesca researches contemporary dance in Malta and serves as an assistant lecturer at the University of Malta. As Artistic Director of Dance Festival Malta, she cultivates a vibrant dance ecosystem, uniting local and international artists in an annual celebration of movement and cultural exchange.

Dancers Dorka Kesmarki (Hungary)

Thea Cunningham (Malta)

Andrea Mira Blasco (Spain)

Sarah Sammut (Malta)

Ariana Terreno (Italy)

Understudy: Ekaterina Georgieva (Macedonia) Eliza Veta (Ukraine)