Max Richter, 12 Ensemble

Composer Max Richter and artist Yulia Mahr’s Sounds and Visions weekender kicks off with Richter’s melancholic multimedia work Infra, alongside performances from Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith and Jlin.

Infra takes its title from the Latin for the word ‘below’, and that’s what Richter explores – the world just beneath the surface. The strings of the 12 Ensemble excavate melodies that have been buried underneath shelves of ambience, while snatches of Morse code and radio signals cut through beautiful electro-acoustic textures.

Originally composed for a dance work choreographed by Wayne McGregor, it’s an examination of the submerged sounds of the everyday. Of the unnoticed, the overlooked and the forgotten.

Preceding this performance, Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith draws from her 2017 release The Kid for an A/V set, using FX-laden vocals and an old Buchla 100 modular synthesizer to create an earthy, organic style of Electronic music. Opening the evening is Footwork producer Jlin, who, following in Richter’s footsteps, has written a new piece for dancers – which will receive its UK premiere tonight.