Holland Festival | The Anatomy of the Orchestra - Drone Refractions 19:30

The UK-based Paraorchestra is making its debut in the Netherlands, bringing music by Rylan Gleave, Pauline Oliveros, and Arvo Pärt. In a setting where the seats are removed and the orchestra are arrayed across the floor of the Concertgebow, the audience is invited to get even closer to the music. You can take a seat on the balcony or— for a truly immersive experience — move freely among the musicians as they perform in the hall. The Drone Refractions program unfolds as a triptych. It begins with Straylight, a piece by rising composer Rylan Gleave, inspired by John Cage and his unconventional orchestral work Seventy Four commissioned specially for this performance. Next comes The Last Time/Ultima Vez by Pauline Oliveros, realised by Charlotte Harding and featuring the sublime voice of Victoria Oruwari. The journey concludes with Fratres, the iconic work by Estonian minimalist Arvo Pärt. Paraorchestra is a collective of musicians, both with and without disabilities, reshaping the orchestral tradition. Blending acoustic, assistive, and digital instruments, the orchestra opens new perspectives on the future of classical music. Drone Refractions is a perfect example of that vision. Programme: Rylan Gleave Straylight Pauline Oliveros The Last Time/Ultima Vez Arvo Pärt Fratres