Ensemble Proton Bern

«Ausschweifen» fulfils a long-cherished dream for us:

«The performance of Georg Friedrich Haas’ Nach-Ruf … ent-gleitend … in 2013 was a revelatory experience for us as an ensemble. We were gripped by enthusiasm for the world of microtonality, which led us to ever new explorations of the finest nuances of pitch. Since then, we have been accompanied by the dream of a work written especially for us by the master himself.»

«Ausschweifen» is a full-length piece for an eight-piece ensemble that lives up to its title in every respect. In it, Georg Friedrich Haas pursues a musical vision that goes beyond the usual dimensions of a concert premiere, pushes the performers to their limits and opens up an existential sensory experience for the audience.

The composition will essentially consist of three materials: spectral overtone harmonies, microtonal clusters and tonal, late Romantic quarter-tone music. These elements metaphorically open up a field of tension between three poles of humanity: while the microtonal clusters have an archaic, driving and physically ecstatic effect, the spectral overtone harmonies may be heard as a flash of transcendence, of perfection in imperfection. In between lies a wondrous, seemingly historical tonal music. Georg Friedrich Haas draws on a quarter-tone piano piece by Richard Heinrich Stein (1882–1942) from 1918. This becomes the starting point for an exploration of interval relationships, free leading tones and the interplay of timbres and octave positions.

«The exciting thing about this tonal quarter-tone music is that a counter-movement between all intervals is possible. I believe that there is still a great deal of potential in this style and that it is an exciting field in which there is still a lot of work to be done.

I am incredibly excited about this project. It will be a great challenge, and I look forward to working with you all and thank you for your willingness to engage with my music.» F. Haas to Ensemble Proton Bern

Georg Friedrich Haas *1953, Ausschweifen [2026] world premiere

Commissioned by Ensemble Proton Bern in collaboration with the Klangspuren Schwaz Festival and Muziekgebouw Amsterdam.