The ULYSSES Ensemble and the ULYSSES Network took a step forward in 2017, focusing their efforts on young performers – as always, in the field of today’s music. Every year, a new ensemble of young musicians living in Europe is formed and travels to several academies and festivals in the ULYSSES network.

2022 marks the first time that the ULYSSES Ensemble is an ensemble entirely dedicated to percussion, and travels from June to September from the ManiFeste Academy to the Time of Music Festival to the Gaudeamus Festival ending with the Warsaw Autumn Festival.

The ULYSSES Ensemble is made up of 5 percussionists, accompanied by Rémi Schwartz, a percussionist from the Percussions de Strasbourg who leads and guides the young performers throughout their journey.

 

Stop 1 – Percussions de Strasbourg

Thursday, June 9—Friday, June 17, 2022

Strasbourg (France)

Educational Advisors: Rémi Schwartz, Minh-Tâm Nguyen (Percussions de Strasbourg)

The young percussionists will be welcomed in Strasbourg, as part of the festival celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Percussions de Strasbourg. They will have the opportunity to attend performances of Iannis Xenakis’ major works for an ensemble of percussions: Persephassa and Pléiades. They will then rehearse together the different pieces for their tour. They will work closely with the musicians from the Percussions de Strasbourg, more particularly with Rémi Schwartz, who will conduct them and accompany them throughout the different stops. They will work closely with young composers Mioko Yokoyama and James Alexandropoulos-McEwan, who have written two pieces especially for them, commissioned by members of the ULYSSES network.

Program:

• James Alexandropoulos-McEwan James new work for 6 percussionists and electronics (2022), 10 min, commissioned by Time of Music, Gaudeamus Festival, Warsaw Autumn Festival
• Malika Kishino Sange (2016), 15 min
• Per Nørgård Square and Round (1985), 10 min
• Kazimierz Serocki Continuum (1965-1966), 12 min
• Iannis Xenakis Métaux 14 min & Peaux 8 min, excerpts from Pléiades (1978-1979)
• Mioko Yokoyama new work for 6 percussionists (2022), 15 min, commissioned by Time of Music, Gaudeamus Festival, Warsaw Autumn Festival

 

Stop 2 – ManiFeste-2022 Festival, The Academy

Monday, June 20—Sunday, June 26, 2022

Concert: Saturday, June 25, 2022 in CENTQUATRE-PARIS

Paris (France)

• Malika Kishino Sange (2016), 15 min
• Iannis Xenakis Métaux 14 min & Peaux 8 min, excerpts from Pléiades (1978-1979)
• Mioko Yokoyama new work for 6 percussionists (2022), 15 min, commissioned by Time of Music, Gaudeamus Festival, Warsaw Autumn Festival, World Premiere

 

Stop 3 –Time of Music Festival

Tuesday, July 5—Saturday, July 9, 2022

Concert: Friday, July 8, 2022

Viitasaari (Finland)

• James Alexandropoulos-McEwan James new work for 6 percussionists and electronics (2022), 10 min, commissioned by Time of Music, Gaudeamus Festival, Warsaw Autumn Festival, World Premiere
• Malika Kishino Sange (2016), 15 min
• Per Nørgård Square and Round (1985), 10 min
• Iannis Xenakis Métaux 14 min, excerpts from Pléiades (1978-1979)
• Mioko Yokoyama new work for 6 percussionists (2022), 15 min, commissioned by Time of Music, Gaudeamus Festival, Warsaw Autumn Festival, Finnish Premiere

 

Stop 4 – Gaudeamus Festival

Wednesday, September 7—Sunday, September 11, 2022

Concert: Saturday, September 10, 2022

Utrecht (The Netherlands)

• James Alexandropoulos-McEwan James new work for 6 percussionists and electronics (2022), 10 min, commissioned by Time of Music, Gaudeamus Festival, Warsaw Autumn Festival, Dutch Premiere
• Per Nørgård Square and Round (1985), 10 min
• Iannis Xenakis Métaux 14 min, excerpts from Pléiades (1978-1979)
• Mioko Yokoyama new work for 6 percussionists (2022), 15 min, commissioned by Time of Music, Gaudeamus Festival, Warsaw Autumn Festival, Dutch Premiere

 

Stop 5 – Warsaw Autumn Festival

Monday, September 19—Thursday, September 22, 2022

Concert: Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Warsaw (Poland)

• James Alexandropoulos-McEwan James new work for 6 percussionists and electronics (2022), 10 min, commissioned by Time of Music, Gaudeamus Festival, Warsaw Autumn Festival, Polish Premiere
• Malika Kishino Sange (2016), 15 min
• Kazimierz Serocki Continuum (1965-1966), 12 min
• Mioko Yokoyama new work for 6 percussionists (2022), 15 min, commissioned by Time of Music, Gaudeamus Festival, Warsaw Autumn Festival, Polish Premiere
• Iannis Xenakis Métaux 14 min & Peaux 8 min, excerpts from Pléiades (1978-1979)

 

Further information here.