LA PHIL PRESENTS WORLD PREMIERE OF ITS COMMISSION
ELECTRIC FIELDS
AN IMMERSIVE MULTIMEDIA CONCERT

Composed by David Chalmin and Bryce Dessner, Inspired by
Compositions by Hildegard von Bingen, Barbara Strozzi and Francesca Caccini

Designed and Directed by Netia Jones with Projections by Lightmap 

Featuring Soprano Barbara Hannigan and Pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque

November 15, 2022, at Walt Disney Concert Hall

Spanish Translation Here.

LOS ANGELES (October 26, 2022) – The Los Angeles Philharmonic will present the premiere of its commission Electric Fields, an immersive multimedia staged concert on November 15, 2022, at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Inspired by the cosmic compositions and contemplations of composer, mystic, philosopher and poet Hildegard von Bingen (d. 1179), and Baroque-era compositions by Barbara Strozzi (d. 1677) and Francesca Caccini (d. 1640), Electric Fields, composed by David Chalmin and Bryce Dessner and designed and directed by Netia Jones with projections by Lightmap, traces ideas of connection and disconnection, the finite and the infinite, across the works of three composers searching for meaning in a complex universe. Performers include soprano Barbara Hannigan, pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque and Electric Fields composer Chalmin on live electronics.

Hildegard had visions throughout her life that led to writings on celestial systems and theories of infinite connection. Channeling that spirit, Electric Fields reaches through centuries and collapses time, connecting the music Hildegard wrote in the 12th century to 17th-century Baroque-era compositions of Strozzi and Caccini—all reimagined through the modern eyes and ears of Chalmin and Dessner.

The work reflects on aspects of the mystic, cosmic, temporal and mortal in music that reaches through centuries, the “eternal recurrence” idea that everything will occur, again and again, collapsing time and space and creating a circle that connects humanity and the universe as one.

The one-night world premiere performance will include live video, lighting projections and electronic effects that create a mesmerizing exploration of music that defies definition, classification and genre.

The world premiere commission of Electric Fields is generously underwritten by Ellen and Arnold Zetcher.

ELECTRIC FIELDS

Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, at 8PM
Walt Disney Concert Hall

A mesmerizing multimedia immersive concert composed by David Chalmin and Bryce Dessner, inspired by compositions by Hildegard von Bingen, Barbara Strozzi and Francesca Caccini. The definition-defying project is designed and directed by Netia Jones with projections by Lightmap. Creating the sonic world for the evening are soprano Barbara Hannigan, pianists Katia and Marielle Labèque, and Chalmin on live electronics.

Director’s Note: ELECTRIC FIELDS
Composers’ Note: ELECTRIC FIELDS

Program

David CHALMIN/Bryce DESSNER Electric Fields (world premiere, LA Phil commission with generous support from Ellen and Arnold Zetcher)

Artists

Barbara Hannigan, soprano
Katia and Marielle Labèque, pianos
Netia Jones, director & video designer
Lightmap, projection
David Chalmin, live electronics

Tickets: This concert is a part of the Walt Disney Concert Hall’s 22/23 Colburn Celebrity Series, tickets are available here.

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About the LA Phil 
Under the leadership of Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, the LA Phil offers live performances, media initiatives and learning programs that inspire and strengthen communities in Los Angeles and beyond. The Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra is the foundation of the LA Phil’s offerings, which also include a multi-genre, multidisciplinary presenting program and such youth development programs as YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles). Performances are offered on three historic stages—Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and The Ford—as well as through a variety of media platforms. In all its endeavors, the LA Phil seeks to enrich the lives of individuals and communities through musical, artistic and learning experiences that resonate in our world today.