May 13th 2010, Sallis Benney Theatre, Brighton Fringe Festival

[im]possibility
An evening of performances based on the notion of exploring the possibility of impossibilities. We are collaborating with cutting edge vocal trio JUICE and visual artist Monica Ross for a performance of the second act from Mikhail Karikis’ new opera XENON.

We will also be returning to a favourite of ours, Blips, Clips and Ghettoblasters by Donnacha Dennehy and a work by London based composer Neil Luck. His Technical Knockouts is a piece for singer and microphone manipulator. The singer’s voice is filtered through the constant re-arrangement and adjustment of the amplification chain, which in turn provides aural cues for the sung pitches, generating a live feedback loop.

Doors open at 7pm and the performance begins at 7.30pm.

Tickets can be bought through Brighton Festival Box Office or at the door.

 

May 10th 2010, Kings Place, London
We a planning a really exciting performance at Kings Place, London for the premier of two new works by James Weeks and Claudia Molitor specially written for ensemble Scratch the Surface. James’ Nunhead Harmony is a fantastically rhythmic and energetic work scored for violin, viola, double bass and clarinet. Claudia is writing for the same line up with the addition of a ‘performing composer’ , who will incorporate real time composition into the score. The piece is titled looking and hearing and seeing and listening (and doodling and playing). We are also featuring works by Jonathan Nangle for clarinet and electronics and a work for ghettoblasters by Donnacha Dennehy.

We are also delighted to be working once again with Mikhail Karikis, who will premier excerpts from his forthcoming opera XENON. Concert starts 8pm.

Tickets can be purchased online HERE, or at the door.

Jonathan Nangle


Donnacha Dennehy

Mikhail Karikis

Claudia Molitor

James Weeks
 

 

November 2008
We are travelling about Ireland in November with some really exciting programmes. Benedict Schlepper-Connolly is working on a new commission, we will also be revisiting some familiar works such as Linda Buckley’s Nikuda and Donnacha Dennehy’s Glamour Sleeper. We have also commissioned German/English composer, Claudia Molitor to write a piece for us. The tour will feature the funky New York Counterpoint by Steve Reich and the wittily ironic Case History by Roderick de Man.

Of course we wouldn't be ourselves without some rather unusual video and choreographic work which really adds a musical sauce to our programming. So do check it out!

November 12th Arts Tech Amergin 8pm
Tickets available from www.techamergin.com

November 14th Mermaid Arts Centre , 8pm
Tickets available from www.mermaidartscentre.ie

November 16th Hugh Lane Gallery 12noon
Admission Free, arrive early for best seats. www.hughlane.ie

 

July 2nd 2008
The Warehouse, Waterloo , London . An evening of music by Irish and English composers in association with Association of Irish Composers. The performance features our usual mixture of electronics and live performance. Concert starts at 7.30pm. Doors open 7pm.

Tickets at the door £8/ £6 concession.

www.thewarehouselondon.co.uk

 



June 25th 2008
ensemble Scratch the Surface will be performing in the Sallis Benney Theatre, University of Brighton as part of Soundwaves Festival. The concert features new music by Conall Gleeson, Linda Buckley and Donnacha Dennehy. Performance begins at 7.30.

Tickets available through Brighton Dome Box Office.

www.soundwaves-festival.org.uk

 

June 21st 2008
Musée des Beaux-Arts at Nimes have invited ensemble Scratch the Surface to curate a performance for the World Music Day - Fête de la Musique. The ensemble has commissioned composers from several European nations to respond to the recent installation and intervention at the museum, Tête-à-Tête , through the medium of sound, music and its relations to visual forms. The evening promises to be a truly international affair.

www.fetedelamusique.culture.fr
 

2008 May 15th

The Aesthetics of Failure - The performance draws upon a collection of works dating from the 1960s to the present day which expose the inherent fallibilities of modern technology and performance practices. Included in the programme will be the infamous Failing, a very difficult piece for Double Bass performed by Corrado Canonici. Steve Reich's Pendulum Music aesthetises the 'error' of feedback, whilst performances of rattling snares, broken computer scanners, hybrid radio-organs, prepared piano and six channel live cello demonstrate the creative potential of interference patterns, noise, twisted electric circuits and magnetic fields.