Albeit in a strange slow-motion effect, we are carried away by this monumental homage to the physical AND metaphysical power of the world, as represented by the American John Luther Adams (not to be confused with the post-minimalist John Adams). Grandly, but slowly, Adams’ orchestra breathes in and breathes out, vibrates, illuminates, molts and transforms, as if it were the voice of the entire Earth, like a single living organism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For almost an hour, we are overwhelmed by a sound worthy of a slow-motion tsunami. The symbolism is all the stronger because recorded during the pandemic, the ensemble was divided into five basic constituents: strings, winds, brass, percussion and a choir. No one subgroup could hear the other for obvious reasons. What’s more, the score is constructed in such a way that each musician in each group is invited to play a part of the score at their convenience. No two performances will ever be the same. Sila: The Breath of the World <\/em>thus becomes a fabulous metaphor against isolation and in favour of human resilience. Dozens of artists each created a collective work of performance, sound and music. In the collective, individuality can exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n