This year, our ensemble the Percussions de Strasbourg celebrates its sixtieth anniversary. It was under the impetus of Pierre Boulez that the idea was born, a little absurd for the time, of forming a music group made up solely of percussion. In 1962, the six founding members came up with this innovative project that would revolutionise Western percussion. Very quickly, the group inspired the writing of a new repertoire by many living composers and participated in the biggest international festivals.
The year 2022 also marks the centenary of the birth of Iannis Xenakis, who was probably one of the most beautiful encounters for the group. To celebrate these two anniversaries together by replaying two fundamental works for percussion, Persephassa and Pléiades, in a book-disc format, seemed an obvious choice.
Today, the Percussions de Strasbourg remains a unique group, which, as in its early days, is inseparable from contemporary musical life, thanks to a very high artistic standard coupled with an unchanging spirit of curiosity and family.
In close collaboration with the composers, we continue to explore and enrich the world of sound and to promote these creations in France and abroad.
Nevertheless, firmly rooted in Strasbourg, the ensemble could not fail to honour the territory that has seen it born, encouraged and stimulated since its origins. This is why June 2022 will be the scene of this celebration in the form of a festival, between Strasbourg’s city centre and the Hautepierre district, where we have been in residence for over 40 years. This five-day festival has multiple objectives: to share key pieces from our repertoire, to showcase our most recent creations in an exceptional context, and to highlight the participants in our Percustra transmission workshops, which are becoming increasingly numerous.
In short, to cross the views and percussive experiences in order to pursue the dynamics and the very essence of the group: creation and sharing.
Wednesday, June 8th, 7:30 pm : Concert at the Laiterie, INK x The Percussions de Strasbourg – tickets
Thursday, June 9th, 6:00 and 8:00 pm : Percustra and Pléiades, Théâtre de Hautepierre – Free, reservation mandatory at rp[@]percussionsdestrasbourg.com
Friday, June 10th, 9:30 pm : Persephassa – Iannis Xenakis, Place du Château – Free, seats limited
Saturday, June 11th, 7 :00 pm : the Percussions de Strasbourg party x Hautepierre district party, Théâtre de Hautepierre and André Maurois place – Free
Sunday, June 12th, starting at 3:00 pm : What About the Noise of Crumpling Paper by John Cage, Strasbourg Contemporary and Modern Art Museum –Tickets according to the museum’s rates
