About 17 minutes into the Detroit Symphony Orchestras performance of Ferran Cruixents Cyborg on Thursday, a tiny recorder sounded a high, piccolo-like tone. The orchestra stopped in its tracks and made a U-turn toward the heavens.
What had been an earthly cauldron of contrasting sonorities buzzing string harmonics, stuttering reeds, musicians inhaling and exhaling air, brazen and brassy tone clusters, domineering rhythmic repetitions, lascivious trombone slides, dissonant climaxes shouted at full voice morphed into an ethereal glow. Strings hovered, and musicians began to softly sing chant-like plainsong. Muted trombones joined the rhythm of the voices. Suddenly, ringing melodies prerecorded on the musicians cell phones rippled through the air, the fault line between acoustic and electronic sound dissolving in midair.
Man and machine became one. The 10th Century shook hands with the 21st Century. And the audience swooned with delight. Cruxient had them at hello.
Born in Barcelona, Spain, the 37-year-old Cruixent (CRU-shent) is all but unknown in America, but his distinctive voice deserves wider attention. Certainly, he seems to have found a champion in DSO music director Leonard Slatkin, who has a sharp ear for young talent and landed the North American premiere of Cyborg in Detroit. The composer is interested in big ideas concerning the marriage of humanity and technology in contemporary life, and in Cyborg the title refers to human-machine hybrids he has created a 25-minute meditation on the theme.
Despite its progressive surface, however, the music is by no means radical. Cruxient employs all kinds of techniques associated with the avant-garde of the 1960s and 70s, but channels them into often traditional melodic and harmonic material and accessible rhythm. In the end, Cyborg is an interesting synthesis of experimental and conservative impulses, delivered with a high level of craftsmanship and taste. Slatkin led a beautifully prepared performance, clarifying the rhythms and densities and liberating the musics emotional content; the players enthusiastically bought into Cruxients language. I look forward to hearing more from this intriguing composer.
Elsewhere, young French-born violinist Alexandra Soumm made an impressive American debut with Jean Sibelius beloved Violin Concerto. Soumms cavernous sound and virtuoso flair made for an exciting thrill ride through the piece, though her hot-wired approach captured little of the poetic mystery embedded in the score.
After intermission Slatkin and the DSO turned to Gustav Mahlers Symphony No. 4, which, at less than an hour, is the shortest, most intimate and sunniest of the composers symphonies. Slatkin led an even-tempered and smartly proportioned musical account that was long on lyricism and forward momentum but short on revelation. The orchestra spoke in a single, lush voice, though I wanted more sparkle and elegance from the cellos. Principal horn Karl Pituchs warm solos were a highlight, and though soprano soloist Ilana Davidson lacked power, her light-textured voice made a graceful evocation of heaven in the finale.
Here is the original post:
DSO's 'Cyborg' a successful blending of modern with traditional
- Upload your Real body to a Virtual Avatar ! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Transcendent Consciousness for Transcendent Technologies : Part I [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Transcendent Consciousness for Transcendent Technologies: Part II [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Visions of the Future [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Lessons from the Silver Surfer ! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Playing God in a Video Game ! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- The Rebellious Voyeur in our Society [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Renewable Energy and the New world [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Chennai Science Festival 2008 [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Cyborg Football Time ! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Wont be posting for a while [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Spiritual Transcendence in Transhumanism now published [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Widgetize time ! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- An Inconvenient Truth indeed ! - Google style [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- The latest Cyborg movie ! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Lost in Transcendence : A Tribute to Dr.Albert Hofmann [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Who came first ? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- How to truly become "BetterHumans" [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- A day in the life of a Transhuman Memestar [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- My Lonely Love [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- The First "body slaves" : how ready are we for the posthuman body ? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Realizing our humble place in the posthuman civilization ! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Brain controlled devices have come of age ! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Touch and Go [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Cyborg Mystic [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Avatar..a great movie ! [Last Updated On: January 31st, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 31st, 2010]
- Iron Man 2 and the cyborg technology offshoots [Last Updated On: June 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 11th, 2010]
- Saving the "Humanism" in Transhumanism [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2010]
- Christina is Bionic [Last Updated On: June 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: June 22nd, 2010]
- My recent article in IEET [Last Updated On: October 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- REASONS FOR LOVE AND HOPE TO OTHER SPECIES IN THE POSTHUMAN FUTURE [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2011] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2011]
- Misleading Perceptions of Improving “The Human Condition” [Last Updated On: April 10th, 2011] [Originally Added On: April 10th, 2011]
- Jean-Claude Van Damme - CYBORG (1989) Part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Cris Cyborg Spinning Back Kick KO - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Cris Cyborg Suplexes way to Gold Medal Mundials (BJJ Worlds) 2011 - Video [Last Updated On: April 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 30th, 2012]
- Cryptic Metal Gear Rising trailer lets you not understand the story right now [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- 009 Re:Cyborg Anime Film's Live-Action Promo Streamed [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- 009 Re:Cyborg's Extended "International Version" Trailer Posted [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- Colourblind artist wants to be world’s first cyborg [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2012]
- Moribito Designer Asou to Draw 009 Re:Cyborg Manga [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2012]
- National Geographic announces its Emerging Explorers for 2012 [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2012]
- Colourblind artist wants cyborg eye in Irish passport [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2012]
- Week in science faces our cyborg future [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2012]
- Gary Oldman - Gary Oldman Signs Up For Robocop Remake [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2012]
- Gary Oldman joining 'RoboCop' remake [Last Updated On: May 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 25th, 2012]
- Gary Oldman signs up for Robocop remake [Last Updated On: May 26th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 26th, 2012]
- Supertrailer - The best trailers of the week packed into one cinematic video [Last Updated On: June 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 2nd, 2012]
- Policemen Undergo Stress Management Seminar [Last Updated On: June 3rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2012]
- Scott Coker Says Cyborg Vs Rousey at 135 Will Happen: Fan Reaction [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2012]
- MMAFighting: Coker vows Cyborg-Rousey fight [Last Updated On: June 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 4th, 2012]
- Would Ronda Rousey Beat Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos in a Fight? Fan's View [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2012]
- Ronda Rousey vs. Cris Cyborg: Is the Biggest Fight Strikeforce Can Make [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2012]
- Scott Coker on Ronda Rousey vs. Cyborg: "Cyborg Is a Whole Other Level" [Last Updated On: June 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 5th, 2012]
- Rousey vs. Cyborg in January? 'She Wants My Arm, I Want Her Head': Fan's Look [Last Updated On: June 6th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 6th, 2012]
- DIY cyborg appendage is less exciting than it sounds (video) [Last Updated On: June 8th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2012]
- Robot Chicken goes free range, Seth Green says [Last Updated On: June 9th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 9th, 2012]
- Cyborg Fuel Cell Powered by Brain Fluids [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2012]
- Hugh Laurie - Hugh Laurie To Play Robocop Villain [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2012]
- Hugh Laurie set to play villain in Robocop remake [Last Updated On: June 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 13th, 2012]
- Hugh Laurie is being lined up to star in 'RoboCop' [Last Updated On: June 14th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 14th, 2012]
- CFT: Star recruit Henry decommits from Georgia [Last Updated On: June 15th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2012]
- Cris Cyborg and Sarah Kaufman Mean Mugging on Fight Promo Video: Fan Reaction [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2012]
- Amped Shows the Downside of Becoming a Cyborg [Last Updated On: June 18th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 18th, 2012]
- Is that really just a fly? Swarms of cyborg insect drones are the future of military surveillance [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2012]
- Interior-Decorating Androids, Coming to a Living Room Near You [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2012]
- A message for our cyborg drivers [Last Updated On: June 23rd, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2012]
- Cyborg system stifles your need to drink water [Last Updated On: June 24th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 24th, 2012]
- Cyborg makes art using seventh sense [Last Updated On: June 30th, 2012] [Originally Added On: June 30th, 2012]
- A Surgical Implant for Seeing Colors Through Sound [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2012]
- My life as a cyborg [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2012]
- Making Location Services Slick & Simple [Last Updated On: July 2nd, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 2nd, 2012]
- Cyborg Gaming Mouse [Last Updated On: July 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2012]
- Nightwing And Cyborg Join Cast Of Injustice [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2012]
- Nightwing and Cyborg coming to Injustice: Gods Among Us [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2012]
- See Cyborg and Nightwing in 'Injustice: Gods Among Us' [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2012]
- SDCC 2012: Nightwing and Cyborg Join 'Injustice: Gods Among Us' [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2012]
- NEWS: Cyborg and Nightwing Revealed for Injustice: Gods Among Us [Last Updated On: July 12th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 12th, 2012]
- 'Injustice' reveals Cyborg and Nightwing [Last Updated On: July 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 13th, 2012]
- Human Cyborg: McDonald’s Employees Assaulted Me For Wearing My Gear [Last Updated On: July 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 17th, 2012]
- Do Not Anger the Cyborg, People! [Last Updated On: July 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: July 17th, 2012]