Twelve hours of an enigmatic work
The Ensems Festival presents one of the most unique proposals in contemporary music for its 48th edition: the complete interpretation of Vexations, Erik Satie’s most mysterious work. Composed in 1893, this score consists of an 18-note cycle that must be repeated 840 times without interruption. The first full performance, organised by John Cage in 1963, lasted nearly 19 hours. Now, Projecte SoXXI and Soundcool take on the challenge in the gardens of the Faculty of Fine Arts at UPV, but with a multidisciplinary and technological approach.
A dialogue between sound, movement, and technology
The proposal goes beyond the original score. Two vibraphones will perform the work in constant dialogue, accompanied by real-time interactive audio and video processing using Soundcool devices. Additionally, dance will be integrated into the performance, creating an immersive 6.0 space where sound, gesture, and movement merge. The estimated duration is twelve uninterrupted hours, in a collaborative creation process that invites the audience to immerse themselves in the experience without fixed schedules.
Practical details
- Date and time: 21 September 2026, starting at 9:00 AM (until approximately 9:00 PM).
- Venue: Gardens of the Faculty of Fine Arts at Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV).
- Entry: Free. No reservation required.
- Format: The audience may come and go freely during the twelve-hour performance.
Historical context
Vexations is a work that defies the limits of traditional music. Its minimalist and repetitive structure makes it a precursor to minimalism and experimental music. John Cage’s 1963 performance marked a milestone in music history, and now, over a century after its composition, Projecte SoXXI and Soundcool reinvent it with technological tools and a multidisciplinary approach.
